Report: Louisville Coaching Target Scott Drew to Remain at Baylor

The Cardinals' top target to replace Kenny Payne is staying with the Bears.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville's top target to take over their men's basketball program is staying put.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew has opted to stay in Waco, Tex. with the Bears, according to The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman.

The report from Goodman comes roughly an hour following comments from Drew reiterating that he would not be leaving Baylor.

"I am locked in on Baylor University … Baylor is my home and my family’s home," Drew told ESPN 1660, the flagship radio station for Baylor Athletics.

Not long after Louisville fired now-former head coach Kenny Payne, Drew was quickly identified as their No. 1 target. Their efforts to try and pry him away from Baylor weren't small ones, as he was reportedly offered an $8.5 million per year contract to coach the Cardinals, according to longtime sportswriter Dick Weiss.

It's easy to see why Louisville wanted Drew. He inherited a Baylor program that was on the brink following one of the worst scandals in collegiate athletics history, and turned them into a national powerhouse. He has has guided the Bears to 12 of their 16 all-time NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2021 national championship.

Louisville officially fired Payne last Wednesday, one day removed from their season-ending loss to NC State in the ACC Tournament. Payne's tenure at Louisville was nothing short of an abject disaster, going 12-52 record in his two years at his alma mater. This includes 5-35 in regular season ACC games, 1-28 in road/neutral site games and 0-19 in Quad 1 NET games. 

(Photo of Scott Drew: Raymond Carlin III - USA TODAY Sports)

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