Kenny Payne's replacement faces major roster overhaul at Louisville

Winning the transfer portal, attracting top available high school talent key for Louisville's new coach

The Kenny Payne era is over. 

Now, Louisville athletic director Josh Heird begins a national search for a new basketball coach, that, in reality, has been ongoing behind the scenes for months. 

Baylor coach Scott Drew is widely regarded as Louisville’s top target. Beyond Drew, Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May, who also is being wooed by Ohio State, could be next in line as Payne’s replacement. 

Whoever takes over Louisville’s beleaguered program faces a major roster overhaul to rebuild a program that went 12-52 in Payne’s two seasons at the helm. 

That roster makeover will take considerable N.I.L. funding. Fortunately, Louisville’s next coach will be able to turn to 502Circle, one of the best N.I.L. collectives, in the nation for help restocking the Cardinals 2024-25 roster with top talent. 

“We’ve enjoyed a tremendous amount of success,” 502Circle spokesman Marc Spiegel told 93.9 TheVille Wednesday. "If you take an informal poll you’ll hear we’re one of the Top 10 (collectives) across the country. 

"We know N.I.L. is a necessity as athletic directors replace personnel. We do whatever we can do to make us an asset as that recruitment happens. We certainly feel that we’re in position to do that.” 

Whether Drew, May or someone else, there are a few solid pieces Louisville’s new coach could potentially rebuild around next season, but a significant talent upgrade is required to compete at the top of the ACC and return to the N.C.A.A. Tournament.