Staff Directory
Kelsey, Pat
Pat Kelsey
- Title:
- Head Men's Basketball Coach
Head Coach - 13 seasons
One season at Louisville: 27-8 (18-2 ACC)
13 seasons overall: 288-130, 167-63 conferenceÂ
Five NCAA Tournament appearances
Coaching Honors
Pat Kelsey, a proven program builder who’s won nearly 70% of his career games, was named the new men’s basketball head coach at the University of Louisville on March 28, 2024.
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The Cincinnati native Kelsey is the 24th head coach in Louisville’s 110-year history, and the 10th in the past 79 years.
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Kelsey has been a dominant winner across his 13 seasons as a head coach, including the his first year at Louisville, three at the College of Charleston and the previous nine at Winthrop. He boasts an impressive 288-129 record (69.1%) across his head coaching career with 11 total conference championships and five NCAA Tournament bids.
In his first year at the helm in Louisville, Kelsey led the Cardinals to a 27-8 overall record, tying for second in the ACC with an 18-2 conference record. Louisville made its first appearance in an ACC Tournament semifinal and championship game as the Cards finished runner-up to No. 1 Duke in the title game. Kelsey, tabbed as ACC Coach of the Year, led Louisville to an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals competed in the Big Dance for the first time since 2019, as an eight-seed, and fell to Creighton in the Round of 64.Â
Kelsey recruited an entirely new team in 2024-25, returning no scholarship players from the previous season. Chucky Hepburn earned All-ACC First Team honors while also being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and an AP Honorable Mention All-American. Terrence Edwards Jr. picked up Third Team All-ACC honors.
The Cardinals were one of the most improved teams in the country both in total wins from the previous season and in NET ranking from the end of 2023-24 to the end of 2024-25. Kelsey restored Louisville's standing amongst the elite basketball programs in the country, returning the Cardinals to the AP Top 25, ranking as high as No. 10 on the season in the March 17 rankings.
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In 2023-24, College of Charleston finished 27-8, claimed the Colonial Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to fourth-seeded Alabama.
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The Cougars became the first team in seven years to win back-to-back Colonial titles. Kelsey was named the league’s Coach of the Year, in addition to three All-CAA player honors and a Sixth Man of the Year award for Bryce Butler.
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College of Charleston ranks in the top 25 nationally this season in 3-point attempts per game (3rd, 30.6), made 3-pointers per game (8th, 10.5), bench points per game (11th, 30.1), winning percentage (18th, 77.1), rebounds per game (20th, 39.8), assist-to-turnover ratio (22nd, 1.5) and offensive rebounds per game (23rd, 13.1).
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During his second season at the helm in Charleston, the Cougars set numerous records with a 31-4 mark and the program’s first CAA title since 2008. They won 20 straight games, claimed the 2022 Charleston Classic and spent four weeks in the AP Top 25, peaking at No. 18. Kelsey was named the USBWA and NABC District Coach of the Year, and was on the Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List.
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Kelsey arrived in Charleston from Winthrop, where he became the fifth all-time winningest coach in the history of the Big South Conference. He averaged 20.7 wins per game in nine seasons in Rock Hill, S.C., compiling more overall wins and conference wins than any other team in the league.
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In his final season at Winthrop, Kelsey guided the Eagles to a 23-2 campaign, a school-record 21-game win streak, a Big South tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Villanova. Kelsey was named 2021 Big South Coach of the Year.
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Kelsey also led Winthrop to NCAA Tournament berths in 2020 (canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2017.
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A two-time finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award and finalist for the 2021 Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Award, Kelsey compiled a 186-95 (.662) overall record and an impressive 110-46 (.705) mark in conference play at Winthrop. The Eagles also won the Big South regular-season title four times in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.
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In all, 16 Winthrop players were selected all-conference, while three were tabbed Big South Player of the Year, one Big South Freshman of the Year and two Big South Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
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Prior to Winthrop, Kelsey served as associate head coach at his alma mater Xavier from 2009-11. Before that, he worked at Wake Forest as assistant coach (2004-09) and director of basketball operations (2001-04). He began his coaching career at Elder High School in Cincinnati as an assistant from 1998-2001.
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Kelsey graduated cum laude in 1998 from Xavier University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Wyoming, before transferring and playing three seasons at point guard for the Musketeers from 1995-98.
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Kelsey and his wife, Lisa, have three children: Ruthie, Caroline and Johnny.
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Pat Kelsey Coaching Career
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2024Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Head Coach, University of Louisville
2021-24Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Head Coach, College of Charleston
2012-21Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Head Coach, Winthrop University
2009-11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Associate Head Coach, Xavier University
2004-09Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Assistant Coach, Wake Forest University
2001-04Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Basketball Operations, Wake Forest University
1998-2001Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Assistant Coach, Elder (Ohio) High School
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What They’re Saying About Pat Kelsey
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Chris Paul, NBA Star & Former Wake Forest Guard
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“Coach Kelsey is one of the most passionate coaches I’ve ever been around! From trying to guard me in practice and pushing me and my teammates to be the best version of ourselves, he will be a great addition and advocate for Louisville! Congrats Coach Kels!!”
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Jay Bilas, ESPN
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“I have known Pat Kelsey since he was a player for Skip Prosser at Xavier. Pat is the most passionate and energetic coach I’ve ever known, and his passion is contagious. He is a relentless worker and competitor, and a servant leader. Pat Kelsey knows how to win, and win the right way. He loves his players unconditionally, yet still holds them to the highest standards of excellence. They respond positively because they see championship behavior modeled every day by Pat, on and off the floor. Louisville has a proud tradition, and I am confident that Pat Kelsey will re-establish Louisville among the nation’s elite.”
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Matt Roberts, College of Charleston AD
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 “Louisville Basketball and the city of Louisville got an absolute gem today in Pat Kelsey. He will win and win big for the Cardinals. Not only is he a tremendous teacher, he is an even better person. In short order, your community will come to see what we all experienced in Charleston … Pat is an elite basketball coach, amazing husband, father, and friend.”
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Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach
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“Pat Kelsey stepping up as the new head coach for Louisville is a testament to his dedication, innovative mind, and the respect he commands on and off the court. As someone I've shared countless strategy sessions with, I've witnessed firsthand his exceptional ability to understand the game and inspire those around him. Pat's approach to basketball is not just about plays; it's about building a culture of excellence and resilience. Louisville has gained not just a coach, but a visionary leader who will no doubt propel the program to new heights. I couldn't be prouder to see him take on this role, and I'm excited for the journey ahead.”
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Jeff Goodman, Basketball Analyst
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“I know it’s not the biggest name, but I truly believe Pat Kelsey is perfect for this job - especially at this time. This program needs an energetic, organized, relentless guy who is a proven X’s and O’s guy. I would be beyond shocked if Kelsey doesn’t get this program back to its winning ways sooner rather than later.”
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Pat Kelsey Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record
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One season at Louisville: 27-8 (18-2 ACC)
13 seasons overall: 288-130, 167-63 conferenceÂ
Five NCAA Tournament appearances
Coaching Honors
- 2025 ACC Coach of the Year
- 2025 Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalist
- 2024 CAA Coach of the Year
- 2023 USBWA District Coach of the Year
- 2023 NABC District Coach of the Year
- 2021 Big South Coach of the Year
- 11 conference championship (five tournament, six regular season)
- T-2nd finish in the ACC in 2024-25; runner-up at the 2025 ACC Tournament Championship, Louisville's first-ever appearance in a semifinal or championship game in the ACC
- CAA Tournament Champions: 2023, 2024
- CAA Regular Season Champions: 2023, 2024
- Big South Tournament Champions: 2017, 2020, 2021
- Big South Regular Season Champions: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021Â
Pat Kelsey, a proven program builder who’s won nearly 70% of his career games, was named the new men’s basketball head coach at the University of Louisville on March 28, 2024.
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The Cincinnati native Kelsey is the 24th head coach in Louisville’s 110-year history, and the 10th in the past 79 years.
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Kelsey has been a dominant winner across his 13 seasons as a head coach, including the his first year at Louisville, three at the College of Charleston and the previous nine at Winthrop. He boasts an impressive 288-129 record (69.1%) across his head coaching career with 11 total conference championships and five NCAA Tournament bids.
In his first year at the helm in Louisville, Kelsey led the Cardinals to a 27-8 overall record, tying for second in the ACC with an 18-2 conference record. Louisville made its first appearance in an ACC Tournament semifinal and championship game as the Cards finished runner-up to No. 1 Duke in the title game. Kelsey, tabbed as ACC Coach of the Year, led Louisville to an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals competed in the Big Dance for the first time since 2019, as an eight-seed, and fell to Creighton in the Round of 64.Â
Kelsey recruited an entirely new team in 2024-25, returning no scholarship players from the previous season. Chucky Hepburn earned All-ACC First Team honors while also being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and an AP Honorable Mention All-American. Terrence Edwards Jr. picked up Third Team All-ACC honors.
The Cardinals were one of the most improved teams in the country both in total wins from the previous season and in NET ranking from the end of 2023-24 to the end of 2024-25. Kelsey restored Louisville's standing amongst the elite basketball programs in the country, returning the Cardinals to the AP Top 25, ranking as high as No. 10 on the season in the March 17 rankings.
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In 2023-24, College of Charleston finished 27-8, claimed the Colonial Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles, and earned a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to fourth-seeded Alabama.
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The Cougars became the first team in seven years to win back-to-back Colonial titles. Kelsey was named the league’s Coach of the Year, in addition to three All-CAA player honors and a Sixth Man of the Year award for Bryce Butler.
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College of Charleston ranks in the top 25 nationally this season in 3-point attempts per game (3rd, 30.6), made 3-pointers per game (8th, 10.5), bench points per game (11th, 30.1), winning percentage (18th, 77.1), rebounds per game (20th, 39.8), assist-to-turnover ratio (22nd, 1.5) and offensive rebounds per game (23rd, 13.1).
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During his second season at the helm in Charleston, the Cougars set numerous records with a 31-4 mark and the program’s first CAA title since 2008. They won 20 straight games, claimed the 2022 Charleston Classic and spent four weeks in the AP Top 25, peaking at No. 18. Kelsey was named the USBWA and NABC District Coach of the Year, and was on the Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List.
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Kelsey arrived in Charleston from Winthrop, where he became the fifth all-time winningest coach in the history of the Big South Conference. He averaged 20.7 wins per game in nine seasons in Rock Hill, S.C., compiling more overall wins and conference wins than any other team in the league.
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In his final season at Winthrop, Kelsey guided the Eagles to a 23-2 campaign, a school-record 21-game win streak, a Big South tournament title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Villanova. Kelsey was named 2021 Big South Coach of the Year.
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Kelsey also led Winthrop to NCAA Tournament berths in 2020 (canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and 2017.
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A two-time finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award and finalist for the 2021 Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Award, Kelsey compiled a 186-95 (.662) overall record and an impressive 110-46 (.705) mark in conference play at Winthrop. The Eagles also won the Big South regular-season title four times in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.
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In all, 16 Winthrop players were selected all-conference, while three were tabbed Big South Player of the Year, one Big South Freshman of the Year and two Big South Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
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Prior to Winthrop, Kelsey served as associate head coach at his alma mater Xavier from 2009-11. Before that, he worked at Wake Forest as assistant coach (2004-09) and director of basketball operations (2001-04). He began his coaching career at Elder High School in Cincinnati as an assistant from 1998-2001.
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Kelsey graduated cum laude in 1998 from Xavier University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Wyoming, before transferring and playing three seasons at point guard for the Musketeers from 1995-98.
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Kelsey and his wife, Lisa, have three children: Ruthie, Caroline and Johnny.
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Pat Kelsey Coaching Career
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2024Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Head Coach, University of Louisville
2021-24Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Head Coach, College of Charleston
2012-21Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Head Coach, Winthrop University
2009-11Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Associate Head Coach, Xavier University
2004-09Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Assistant Coach, Wake Forest University
2001-04Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Director of Basketball Operations, Wake Forest University
1998-2001Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Assistant Coach, Elder (Ohio) High School
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What They’re Saying About Pat Kelsey
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Chris Paul, NBA Star & Former Wake Forest Guard
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“Coach Kelsey is one of the most passionate coaches I’ve ever been around! From trying to guard me in practice and pushing me and my teammates to be the best version of ourselves, he will be a great addition and advocate for Louisville! Congrats Coach Kels!!”
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Jay Bilas, ESPN
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“I have known Pat Kelsey since he was a player for Skip Prosser at Xavier. Pat is the most passionate and energetic coach I’ve ever known, and his passion is contagious. He is a relentless worker and competitor, and a servant leader. Pat Kelsey knows how to win, and win the right way. He loves his players unconditionally, yet still holds them to the highest standards of excellence. They respond positively because they see championship behavior modeled every day by Pat, on and off the floor. Louisville has a proud tradition, and I am confident that Pat Kelsey will re-establish Louisville among the nation’s elite.”
Â
Matt Roberts, College of Charleston AD
Â
 “Louisville Basketball and the city of Louisville got an absolute gem today in Pat Kelsey. He will win and win big for the Cardinals. Not only is he a tremendous teacher, he is an even better person. In short order, your community will come to see what we all experienced in Charleston … Pat is an elite basketball coach, amazing husband, father, and friend.”
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Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach
Â
“Pat Kelsey stepping up as the new head coach for Louisville is a testament to his dedication, innovative mind, and the respect he commands on and off the court. As someone I've shared countless strategy sessions with, I've witnessed firsthand his exceptional ability to understand the game and inspire those around him. Pat's approach to basketball is not just about plays; it's about building a culture of excellence and resilience. Louisville has gained not just a coach, but a visionary leader who will no doubt propel the program to new heights. I couldn't be prouder to see him take on this role, and I'm excited for the journey ahead.”
Â
Jeff Goodman, Basketball Analyst
Â
“I know it’s not the biggest name, but I truly believe Pat Kelsey is perfect for this job - especially at this time. This program needs an energetic, organized, relentless guy who is a proven X’s and O’s guy. I would be beyond shocked if Kelsey doesn’t get this program back to its winning ways sooner rather than later.”
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| Coaching Background | |
|---|---|
| 1998-2001 | Elder HS (Ohio) - Assistant Coach |
| 2001-04 | Wake Forest - Director of Basketball Operations |
| 2004-09 | Wake Forest - Assistant Coach |
| 2009-11 | Xavier - Associate Head Coach |
| 2012-21 | Winthrop - Head Coach |
| 2021-24 | Charleston - Head Coach |
| 2024- | Louisville - Head Coach |
Pat Kelsey Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record
| Year | School | Record | Conf. Record | Conf. Finish | Conference Champion | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | Winthrop | 14-17 | 6-10 | 5th Big South | ||
| 2013-14 | Winthrop | 20-13 | 10-6 | 2nd Big South | ||
| 2014-15 | Winthrop | 19-13 | 12-6 | 3rd Big South | ||
| 2015-16 | Winthrop | 23-9 | 23-9 | 1st Big South | Regular Season | |
| 2016-17 | Winthrop | 26-7 | 26-7 | 1st Big South | Regular Season; Conference Tournament | NCAA Tournament Round of 64 |
| 2017-18 | Winthrop | 19-12 | 12-6 | 2nd Big South | ||
| 2018-19 | Winthrop | 18-12 | 10-6 | 4th Big South | ||
| 2019-20 | Winthrop | 24-10 | 15-3 | 1st Big South | Regular Season; Conference Tournament | |
| 2020-21 | Winthrop | 23-3 | 23-2 | 1st Big South | Regular Season; Conference Tournament | NCAA Tournament Round of 64 |
| 2021-22 | College of Charleston | 17-15 | 8-10 | 6th CAA | ||
| 2022-23 | College of Charleston | 31-4 | 16-2 | 1st CAA | Regular Season; Conference Tournament | NCAA Tournament Round of 64 |
| 2023-24 | College of Charleston | 27-8 | 15-3 | 1st CAA | Regular Season; Conference Tournament | NCAA Tournament Round of 64 |
| 2024-25 | Louisville | 27-8 | 18-10 | t-2nd ACC | NCAA Tournament Round of 64 |
FB: Justin Beadles & TJ Quinn 9.15.25 Presser
Monday, September 15
FB: Mark Hagen 9.15.25 Presser
Monday, September 15
FB: Head Coach Jeff Brohm 9.15.25 Press Conference
Monday, September 15
Head Coach Dan Meske 9.15.25 Presser
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