New Louisville Cardinals coach Chris Mack says he can’t wait to be a part of UL-UK rivalry

The University of Louisville introduced their new basketball coach today, and he unfortunately seems like he will be difficult to hate. He was humble, yet confident and enthusiastic. He was honest with the media. He sounded excited to get to work.

He is pretty much the anti-Pitino.

However, he was quick to address the rivalry between the Louisville Cardinals and the Kentucky Wildcats.

“I can’t wait,” Mack said. “There’s something about those type of games that get your juices flowing.”

By no means did he take a shot at Kentucky directly, but he may have gingerly stepped on John Calipari’s toes, whether intentionally or not.

As I heard him refer to how Louisville basketball will now be a “players first program,” I couldn’t help but think I had heard that somewhere before.

Seriously...the exact opposite of Pitino.

Mack went on to acknowledge that the UK-UL rivalry is “one of the best in the entire country.”

That has been true for quite some time, although it has been somewhat lop-sided. Kentucky has won 9 of the previous 11 meetings (10 if you included Louisville’s vacated victory...which I totally do), including two victories in the NCAA Tournament (2012 and 2014).

“Our season won’t be one game, but you can sure as bet we’ll be ready to go next year at The Yum,” Mack said.

I personally believe that Chris Mack was a great hire for Louisville, and I think he will have them moving in the right direction sooner rather than later. But at least for the next couple of years, I am not sure that is a date he should have circled on his calendar.

You can check out his entire press conference below. Go ahead...try to hate him.