Kenny Payne Says He Hasn't Discussed His Job Status with Louisville AD Josh Heird

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the last several days, rumors and speculation have been running wild regarding the job status of Louisville men's basketball head coach Kenny Payne. Following the on- and off-court events this past Wednesday, which included the embarrassing loss to Arkansas State and the botched handling of the Koron Davis situation, rumors regarding Payne's immediate dismissal began spreading like wildfire.

On Friday, CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported that Louisville was expected to move on from Payne "sooner rather than later" and that UofL "will not drag this out over the course of the entire season," but it would be unlikely before the Pepperdine game.

This wound up being the case, as Payne did indeed coach the game against the Waves, leading them to a 85-63 blowout win on Sunday. When asked after the game about the speculation surrounding his job, Payne said he not only did not feel like he was coaching for his job, but has not has discussions with athletic director Josh Heird regarding the subject.

"I did not feel like that, but I wouldn't feel like that no matter what," he said. "I go out and I focus on the team, and the guys. I didn't come here for me. I came here for them and for this community."

When asked a follow up question on if he has talked to Heird on the status of his job, Payne simply replied with, 'I have not."

Later in the postgame press conference, Payne later clarified that he has spoken with Heird since the Arkansas State game, but not regarding his job status. Instead, Payne says that the two have had conversations on how to elevate the program.

"We've talked about, 'How do we take this to the next level?' How do we make sure that we are playing in a way that you build momentum, not just within the program but in the community, and so that people are proud about this program?' I believe Josh wants us to be good, e wants us to make this fanbase proud, and I know he wants for the guys to enjoy being here. And I have the same goals," he said.

Rumors regarding Payne's job status really started to escalate this past Thursday. College basketball insider Jeff Goodman reported that Heird "met with multiple Louisville players today to get their thoughts on Kenny Payne and entire situation with the program before making a decision."

When asked in the Pepperdine post-game press conference about a purported meeting between Heird and the players, forward Mike James responded with a non-committal answer.

"I don't think that's something that we need to share in a press conference," he said.

Even with a nearly completely re-hauled roster, year two under Payne has not gone the way that many hoped it would. Louisville sports a 5-6 overall record this season, and have struggled to put away most teams in their weak non-conference schedule, which ranks 352nd out of the 363 teams at the Division I level.

In Payne's first year at the helm, the Cardinals finished just 4-28 overall and 2-18 in ACC play, more than surpassing the program's previous record for most losses in a single season of 20 from the 1997-98 season. Payne currently has an 9-34 overall at his alma mater, which includes 2-20 against ACC competition and 0-19 in games played away from the KFC Yum! Center.

(Photo of Kenny Payne: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)

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