LOUISVILLE, Ky. — When Chris Mack arrived at the University of Louisville, he was fresh off of leading Xavier University to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UofL, meanwhile, had endured a 22-14 season under an interim head coach, missing the tournament for just the second time in a decade.

What You Need To Know

  • UofL is reportedly planning to fire men's basketball coach Chris Mack 

  • Mack had a 68-37 record at UofL

  • He originally signed a seven-year contract in 2018 worth about $28 million 

  • Assistant coach Mike Pegues is expected to take over on an interim basis

“It’s time to turn the page and start building something special once again,” Mack said when he was announced as UofL’s coach in March of 2018. Nearly four years later, the 51-year-old is on his way out. 

Here’s a timeline of Mack era at UofL: 

March 28, 2018 — UofL introduces Mack as its new head coach, making him the Cardinals’ fourth head coach in 50 years. He joins the school at a time of great upheaval. Just six months prior, UofL fired Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino amid investigations into the program. Former center David Padgett took over as interim coach and led the Cardinals to an exit in the NIT quarterfinals. Mack, who went 312-215 in nine seasons at Xavier, promised that the city, the school, and the basketball team would get his “very best.” 

Nov. 9, 2018 — Mack wins his first game at UofL, with the Cardinals edging Nicholls State 85-72. “We have to get a lot better, in a hurry,” Mack said after the win.

Dec. 29, 2018 — The Cardinals fall to the Wildcats 58-71 in Mack’s introduction to the UofL vs. UK rivalry.

March 21, 2019 — After drawing a seven seed in the NCAA Tournament, Mack and the Cardinals drop their opening round game to Minnesota, which was led by Richard Pitino, former UofL assistant and son of Rick Pitino.

Nov. 5, 2019 — Expectations are high entering Mack’s second season, with Louisville starting the season at number five in the pre-season AP Poll.

March 12, 2020 — After putting up a 24-7 record and achieving a No. 1 ranking, the Cardinals, and every other college basketball team, miss the NCAA Tournament which is canceled due to the emerging threat of the coronavirus. Several weeks prior, Mack was shortlisted for the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year award.

March 14, 2021 — UofL misses the NCAA Tournament after finishing the pandemic-shorted season at 13-7, with multiple games cancelled due to COVID. In his post-season press conference, Mack says an incredibly young team, injuries to key players, and COVID all played a role in the team’s disappointing season. 

May 18, 2021 — Two months after Mack fired assistant coach Dino Guadio, the former ESPN broadcaster is indicted on federal extortion charges. According to the indictment, Guadio tried to extort money from UofL in exchange for not releasing information about alleged recruiting violations by the basketball team. “The allegations of violations are the impermissible production of recruiting videos for prospective student-athletes and the impermissible use of graduate managers in practices and workouts,” UofL explained in a statement. 

Aug. 27, 2021 — UofL suspends Mack for the first six games of the upcoming season because he failed to “follow University guidelines, policies, and procedures" related to Guido’s extortion attempt, according to UofL. Both Athletic Director Vince Tyra and University President Neeli Bendapudi emphasize that the suspension is necessary to ensure that the athletic department continues improving on the years of controversy that preceded Mack. “I understand that I could have handled matters differently and therefore I accept this suspension," Mack said.

Dec. 10, 2021 — Both Bendapudi and Tyra make their plans to leave UofL official, leaving the university with neither a permanent president or athletic director.

Jan. 15, 2022 — After a loss to Pitt, UofL's third loss in a row, Mack says, “Until I can figure out what motivates our group, I don’t see a lot changing.”

Jan. 22, 2022 — Following a 82-70 home loss to Notre Dame, senior captain Malik Williams is asked if the team is “still responding to this coaching staff or have they tuned them out.” After pausing for eight seconds, Williams says, “I don’t have a comment for that.” It’s seen by many as the final nail in Mack’s coffin.

Jan. 26, 2022 — The UofL Athletic Associate Board of Directors and Board of Trustees meets at 4 p.m. with the expectation that Mack would be fired. In comments before the meeting, Mack says, "It's a hard place. You've got to win games."

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