Regarding Kenny Payne, Pat Kelsey said, “He is welcome back here like everybody else.”

The recently sacked head coach of the Cardinals is receiving an olive branch from the new head coach of the men’s basketball program at Louisville.

LOUISVILLE, KY: In his first news conference, Pat Kelsey revealed that he “almost fell down” when he discovered the results of a recent Google search for the best 50 players in Louisville men’s basketball program history. The Cardinals’ recently appointed head coach would then go on to explain that these former players “built this” program and they were free to return whenever they wanted.

In his introductory remarks, the former head coach of College of Charleston stated that he was afraid of leaving out any noteworthy former UofL players, therefore he didn’t want to start naming them.

Still, he made sure to mention one: Kenny Payne.

Naturally, Payne lost his position as head coach of the Cardinals earlier this month after serving as the head coach of his alma university for two years. He was an all-systems failure during his time at Louisville, going just 12-52 overall, with an 8-24 record this season. On Thursday, Kelsey was formally announced as Payne’s replacement.

Similar: Five Key Points from Pat Kelsey’s Press Conference

Kelsey went above and above to provide Payne a helping hand, even in light of everything that transpired during his tenure as head coach of Louisville’s men’s basketball team. He stated that Payne remains a Cardinal and that any previous players are welcome to return.

“Obviously, it didn’t work out the way we wanted it, but he is a major, major, major part of Card Nation,” added Kelsey. Like everyone else, he is welcome to return here. He is an exceptional human being. Although I don’t know him well, I do know a great deal of people who do. We take great pride in him for who he is and his status as a Cardinal.”