Former UofL Men’s Basketball players, 502Circle share how they feel about Pat Kelsey hire
Former UofL Men's Basketball players and 502Circle President share how they feel about the hiring of UofL's new Head Coach Pat Kelsey. Former University of Louisville basketball players, 502Circle, have expressed excitement about the hire of Pat Kelsey as head coach. The former College of Charleston Head Basketball Coach, has made his first impression on the Louisville community, with former players expressing their excitement. They believe that Kelsey fits the culture of the city and can revitalize the KFC YUM Center. The program also needs some new players, with nine players entering the transfer portal as of Thursday. Former UofL player and current Simmons College Athletic Director Jerry Eaves and former U.L. legend Peyton Siva have also expressed their eagerness to support the new coach, stating that he wants to unite the fan base and create some positivity for the program.
Publicerad : 4 veckor sedan förbi Brandon Spencer i Sports
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Fans seem to be excited about the Pat Kelsey hire. The former College of Charleston Head Basketball Coach made his first impression on the Louisville community Thursday including former players.
For some, the hire reminds them of when Jeff Brohm was hired.
While it’s not the hometown kid coming, they say it feels like UofL has a guy who fits the culture of this city and can hopefully help fill the KFC YUM Center up again.
Coach Pat Kelsey is officially the Card’s new guy and with him comes a whole new mindset and culture.
It’s something that former UofL men’s basketball player and current Simmons College Athletic Director Jerry Eaves says he’s looking forward to.
”Pat Kelsey is going to do an excellent job. Full of energy young man that coaches well, relates well with his players, he’s had great coaching experience, 12 years of coaching experience, and I think he’s done really well,” Eaves said. “Back to back NCAA tournaments.”
Tournament appearances that former UofL great Peyton Siva knows all about.
He was a major part of the Cardinal’s 2013 National Championship and was a supporter of Kenny Payne, but he says he’s ready to back UofL’s new leader.
”I mean I’m back in town so whatever they need from me I’m always here to help and you know continue to do what I’ve been doing, you know,” Siva said. “I want to unite the fan base and try to be there for him and create some positivity because that’s what the program needs right now.”
The program also needs some new players.
As of Thursday, nine guys have entered the transfer portal for UofL, which means Coach Kelsey now has a lot of recruiting work to do.
However, 502Circle said they’re ready and more than willing to help.
”He’s going to keep building out his staff to make sure that this whole thing makes sense but ultimately we have to go get the guys to go out there and perform for him,” 502Circle President Dan Furman said. “So, we’re going to work with him to make that happen and I think you’re going to see a lot of that buzz here sooner or later.”
In his press conference, Kelsey mentioned his ability to recruit, so when Siva and Furman were asked to give their best pitches for players, they didn’t disappoint.
”There’s no other fan base as passionate as the University of Louisville fans. You know great city, great people and that was a good reason why I decided to come here,” Siva said.
”Players, you want to come here and go to a Final Four, you want to try to go win a championship? Let’s get on board and make this thing happen,” challenged Furman.
Eaves said he hopes fans will turn out to support the new head coach and feels it will be good for the city.
“We’re going to have to support him. We need butts in seats, we need to have people in restaurants, we need to fill the hotels and we need to come back to the city of Louisville to support the team and the business leaders in the city of Louisville, also,” Eaves explained.
When it comes to advice for the new Cards’ coach, Siva says this.
”I mean my biggest advice is to just win, go out there and win,” Siva said. “Create a culture that the players can get behind, which he has at College of Charleston and that the fans can get behind.”
Ämnen: Basketball