After Rick Pitino was fired in October 2017, Louisville Cardinals finally got their head coach. According to multiple reports, Xavier men’s basketball coach Chris Mack will be joining the University of Louisville basketball program, agreeing to a seven-year, $4 million a year deal. Although the deal hasn’t been officially confirmed by the Cardinals, Mack already said goodbye to Xavier via a statement posted on his Twitter profile.
“No other opportunity has ever felt ‘right,’ until now.” – wrote Mack in a statement. “Ultimately, I felt like this situation offered a new and unique challenge that I could not turn down. I love Xavier. I will miss my players, the students, the administration and everyone associated with my alma mater. Thanks to Father Graham, Greg Christopher and the entire Xavier community for believing in me in good times and bad. Like every former player from X, I will be cheering for the Muskies every chance I get, especially on that night once a year we beat those guys from Clifton.“
Thank You Xavier! pic.twitter.com/qXjvfko6UN
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) March 27, 2018
Chris Mack spent the past nine seasons with the Musketeers and reached NCAA tournament on eight occasions. This season the team has won the Big East regular-season title, clinching number one seed before suffering an upsetting defeat from Florida State in the second round.
“I want to thank Chris Mack for his exceptional work with the Xavier basketball program over the last 14 years, including the last nine years as our head coach,”- said Xavier AD Greg Christopher in a statement. “We wish Chris the best of luck as he attacks a new challenge.”
After Rick Pitino’s exit, assistant coach David Padgett took over the Louisville Cardinals on an interim basis and almost took the team to NCAA tournament. However, Cardinals were left out on Selection Sunday and played out their season in the NIT.
