Kenny Payne had a rocky start as the new head coach for the Louisville Cardinals basketball team, with the team’s season coming to an end after a disappointing 80-62 loss to Boston College in the ACC Tournament. With only four wins under their belt, the season didn’t go as planned, but Payne remains optimistic about the future of the team.
“I am incredibly grateful to be here at my alma mater,” Payne began. “Juwan Howard and I talked a few years back when he got the Michigan job, and we discussed the gift and the curse that comes with returning to your school, the place where you built your foundation. There’s an uncomfortable feeling that never goes away.”
Despite the challenges that come with the job, Payne expressed the weight of responsibility he feels for the Cardinals’ success.
“As the head coach, I’m responsible for every player who’s ever worn the Louisville uniform. I’m tasked with bringing joy back to a community that loves this basketball program,” Payne said. “I’m here to ensure that these young men are loved, and that they are pushed to be the best they can be.”
Despite the disappointing season, Payne maintains that he never let his team down.
“I told my players that I feel good about the season, and I couldn’t care less about the wins and losses right now. I pushed them as hard as I could, and I never once cheated them,” he said. “I was there with them, with my whole heart, through every hardship and every victory.”
Payne hopes that his players will take the lessons they’ve learned from the struggles of the 2022-2023 season and apply them to future success.
“I love my team, and I hope they learn from this season that to be a great team, you have to be connected to each other and pour your heart and soul into your goals,” Payne stated. “Whether it’s as a team or as individuals, that’s the key to success.”
Only time will tell if Payne’s vision for the Cardinals will come to fruition, but he remains dedicated to the team and optimistic about their future.
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