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It appears Kenny Payne is a serious candidate for the Louisville Cardinals’ next basketball coach.
According to 247 Sports’ Evan Daniels, Louisville has asked UK for permission to speak with Payne:
The Louisville athletic department has asked Kentucky for permission to speak to Associate Head Coach Kenny Payne about their open coaching vacanacy, multiple sources tells @247Sports.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) March 24, 2018
WDRB.com also reports that Louisville interim athletic director Vince Tyra has asked Kentucky for permission to talk to Payne.
Payne played for Louisville, and was apart of the 1986 Cardinals National Championship team.
After being drafted to the Philadelphia 76ers, Payne had a pro career that spanned 11 years, though most of that was overseas.
Payne began coaching in 2004, joining Oregon’s staff as an assistant. He was hired by Kentucky in 2010 and has been there ever since. He met with Mississippi State’s athletic director in 2012 when they had a head coaching vacancy, but nothing more came of it.
Here’s a look back at what Payne had to say earlier this season when asked about the potential opening at Louisville:
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