Head-scratching losses, debate over coach Kenny Payne’s job status cloud Louisville’s rebuild

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The latest Bluegrass showdown appeared to feature more fans dressed in Kentucky blue than Louisville Cardinal red, and the visitors made themselves heard as the No. 9 Wildcats rolled to another rivalry triumph in enemy territory.

Compared to expectations of a big blue wave for the state’s most anticipated game, the splashes of red around the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night offered clues that Louisville fans haven’t totally abandoned the Cardinals’ tougher-than-expected rebuilding process. However, interest has dwindled with the arena near empty this season after head-scratching losses and off-court missteps by embattled second-year coach Kenny Payne have ratcheted the heat on him, to the point his job was speculated to be in serious jeopardy last weekend.

“We’ve been spoiled,” said Louisville fan and resident Nick Lococo, who attended Thursday’s game with wife Cera, proudly dressed in a Kentucky blue top.

“We’ve had great coaches for a number of decades. And to see the program where it is right now, it’s not it’s not something that I would have ever thought.”

Louisville athletic director Josh Heird offered some clarity on Payne’s status, telling WDRB-TV in a report on Friday that he would coach into the new year. Heird did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press, but an athletic department spokesman confirmed the report via text.

Sunday’s 85-63 rout of Pepperdine that recalled Louisville’s past dominance likely bought Payne some time. The Cardinals now aim to mine wins from a daunting Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, or those calls on social media and local sports radio shows to fire him figure to grow louder.

Louisville (5-7, 0-1 ACC) resumes conference play on Jan. 3 at No. 22 Virginia, a 12-day break that allows Payne and the Cardinals to reset. They enter with a 95-76 loss to ponder but also with an encouraging week to build on.