CHARLOTTE, NC — Louisville men’s basketball coach Pat Kelsey has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the prestigious Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Award, the Naismith Awards announced Friday. The recognition comes as Kelsey has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Cardinals, leading them to a 26-6 record and an 18-game improvement from last season.
Kelsey’s impact in his first year at Louisville has been nothing short of extraordinary. After being picked to finish ninth in the ACC preseason poll, he rebuilt the roster from scratch following the departure of former coach Kenny Payne. Under his leadership, the Cardinals have not only exceeded expectations but also matched Denny Crum’s record for the most wins by a first-year Louisville coach.
The Cardinals’ success continued Thursday with a win in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, keeping their championship hopes alive as the No. 2 seed. Despite the accolades, Kelsey remains focused on the bigger picture. When asked about being named ACC Coach of the Year earlier this week, he humbly brushed off the attention, emphasizing that his priority is his team’s performance, not individual awards.
Kelsey is joined by nine other standout coaches as semifinalists for the Naismith Award, including Dennis Gates (Missouri), Todd Golden (Florida), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Grant McCasland (Texas Tech), Ben McCollum (Drake), Bruce Pearl (Auburn), Rick Pitino (St. John’s), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), and Jon Scheyer (Duke).
The Cardinals’ resurgence under Kelsey has been a bright spot for a program that struggled in recent years. With a roster built from the ground up, Kelsey has instilled a winning culture and a sense of belief in his players. His ability to exceed the program’s win totals from the last three seasons combined speaks volumes about his coaching acumen and leadership.
As Louisville continues its journey in the ACC Tournament, Kelsey’s focus remains on his team’s success. But his recognition as a Naismith Coach of the Year semifinalist is a testament to the incredible job he has done in such a short time. For Louisville fans, Kelsey’s arrival has brought hope and excitement, signaling a new era of Cardinals basketball.
The winner of the Naismith Coach of the Year Award will be announced later this spring. For now, Kelsey and his team are determined to keep their season alive, proving that their remarkable turnaround is no fluke but the result of hard work, belief, and exceptional leadership.
