Interim Louisville Coach Padgett Preaches Normalcy

Interim coach David Padgett doesn't have much help yet at Louisville. Assistants Kenny Johnson and Jordan Fair are on campus but aren't participating in practice.

David Padgett seemed to enjoy the change of pace.

The interim Louisville men's basketball coach got a chance to answer more questions about basketball than the hoard of legal turmoil surrounding the program he now runs. The university's involvement in a federal investigation has brought on a drastic change in both Padgett's life and the direction of the basketball program — all in just over a week.

"We're returning to some sense of normalcy," Padgett said Wednesday, "and we're getting there because we've been able to practice and focus on the hardwood."

Padgett is adapting on the fly since being named interim replacement for coach Rick Pitino, who was placed on unpaid administrative leave Sept. 27 after the school acknowledged its involvement in the investigation.

There has been a constant stream of questions about the inquiry. And the questions won't stop anytime soon. But on the fourth official practice day, Padgett was happy to discuss what's happening on the court rather than the drama off of it.

"It's been a good couple of days," Padgett said, "things are starting to slow down. I'm starting to sleep a little bit, which is good. We're moving in the right direction."

At 32, Padgett is the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I and admittedly green in many phases. He's worked for one year as a Louisville assistant after two seasons as its director of basketball operations.

For the moment, he's on his own.

Louisville's athletic board voted Monday to proceed with firing Pitino after 16 seasons as coach. Jurich was placed on paid administrative leave and the school's trustee board will review his status at its Oct. 18 meeting.

Assistants Kenny Johnson and Jordan Fair are still on staff and allowed on campus. But acting Athletic Director Vince Tyra said they're not participating as the school reviews the investigation.

Arizona: Coach Sean Miller, speaking out as the school hired outside counsel and inititated an independent review, said he was devastated by the arrest of assistant coach Emanuel Richardson on bribery charges last week. Miller said he recognizes it's his responsibility as head coach to "establish a culture of success on the basketball court and in the classroom, but as important, to promote and reinforce a culture of compliance" Richardson was one of 10 people, including four assistant coaches, arrested after being accused of accepting bribes and paying players.

Georgia Tech: Josh Pastner signed a one-year contract extension to remain coach through the 2022-23 season. He was named ACC coach of the year last season after leading the Yellow Jackets to a 21-16 record and a spot in the NIT final.

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