Inside The Panthers

Pitt Opponent to Retain Embattled HC

One of the Pitt Panthers opponents in the ACC will keep their head coach despite disastrous struggles.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Opponent to Retain Embattled HC
Pitt Opponent to Retain Embattled HC /
In this story:

PITTSBURGH -- For a moment, it seemed like the Pitt Panthers and the rest of the ACC would face a Louisville team that had dismissed its head coach prior to the start of conference play. 

But as it turns out, Pitt will still face a Cardinals team led by Kenny Payne twice this season. Eric Crawford of the television station WRBD in Louisville, Kentucky reported that Cardinals Athletic Director Josh Heird will stick with Payne as head coach of the men's basketball team, contrary to rumors that he would be dismissed following their game against rival Kentucky this week were spread throughout national media. 

“Kenny, and I have had a number of conversations throughout the last week, and Kenny is going to serve as our head coach as we move into the new year,” Heird said. “And I'm going to do what I do with every one of our programs, which is evaluate what's happening throughout the season.”

Payne's record at Louisville moved to 9-35 over the past season and more with a 95-76 loss to the No. 9 Wildcats at home this week.  

The Panthers have two games against Payne's Cardinals left on the schedule. They'll visit Louisville on January 6 and host the return game of a home-and-home series at the Petersen Events Center on February 17. 

Pitt beat Louisville twice during the 2022-23 season, which was Payne's first with the program. Both wins came by 21 points or more and the average margin of victory was 27.5 points. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Cam Lindsey Shows Athleticism on Basketball Court

Pitt Offers Former Howard OL, Western Pennsylvania Native

Former Pitt CB Takes Shots at Penn State, West Virginia

Pitt Lands Former NC State OL Transfer

Nine Pitt Freshman Set to Enroll Early

ESPN Analyst Praises Pitt's Star Freshman

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Home/Basketball