LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville announced Friday that men’s basketball Head Coach Chris Mack will be suspended without pay for six games during the upcoming 2021-2022 season, UofL Athletics said in a news release.

The suspension runs from Nov. 8-27, covering six nonconference games, including two games in the Bahamas. During the suspension, Mack is prohibited from having any contact with the men’s basketball coaching staff or student-athletes. As the suspension is without pay, Mack will forfeit around $221,000 in compensation.

UofL concluded that Mack "failed to follow University guidelines, policies, and procedures" following an extortion attempt by former assistant coach Dino Gaudio. Officials said the measures are unrelated to the extortion attempt itself and the ongoing NCAA process.

“As I have said since the beginning of my tenure, we have high expectations for all of our staff members and coaches and we hold people accountable for their actions,” said UofL's Vice President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra. “While we have made great strides over the last four years in changing the culture in our Department of Athletics, we cannot afford to have any setbacks, no matter how big or small, in our pursuits. I am confident that Coach Mack now understands the impact of his actions."

Tyra said the program will have confidence in Mack moving forward.

“Our university is on a positive trajectory in so many areas and athletics is a critical component to our mission and to our engagement,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “While Chris has done so many positive things during a challenging time for our men’s basketball program, he is held to the same standards as other UofL employees, and we believe that this suspension is commensurate with his actions — whether intentional or not.”

In a statement, Mack said he regrets any actions that bring unwanted attention to the university's athletics program.

“I understand that I could have handled matters differently and therefore I accept this suspension," Mack said. "While it will kill me to be away from our basketball family in Nov., I will do everything possible to set them up for success before and after my time away, and I am fully confident that our coaches, staff and student-athletes will rise to the occasion.”