Louisville is expected to part ways with head basketball coach Kenny Payne this week, according to multiple reports.

College basketball insider Jeff Goodman reports that Louisville is expected to inform Payne of the decision within the next “24-48 hours.” ESPN’s Pete Thamel added that Payne had yet to speak with athletic director Josh Heird following the Cardinals’ ACC Tournament loss to NC State.

Payne spent 2 seasons as Louisville’s head coach and never generated any positive momentum. The Cardinals won just 12 total games (4 in 2022-23 and 8 in 2023-24) under Payne’s leadership over the last couple of years.

Louisville’s ACC record during Payne’s tenure was 5-35. The Cardinals won 1 road game (against Miami earlier this season) in Payne’s 2 years in charge.

Payne was hired by Louisville to replace Chris Mack after the 2021-22 campaign. Mack spent parts of 4 seasons with the Cardinals and delivered an overall record of 63-36. Louisville last made the NCAA Tournament in 2019 under Mack’s leadership.

Payne, a former John Calipari assistant who won a national title as a player at Louisville, was heralded as an elite recruiter. His second recruiting class at Louisville ranked No. 6 nationally per 247Sports Composite rankings, but it was not enough for Louisville to take a meaningful step forward in 2023-24.

Louisville’s head coaching job is expected to be attractive to top coaches from around the country. Florida Atlantic’s Dusty May, TCU’s Jamie Dixon and Indiana State’s Josh Schertz are amongst the candidates who are expected to be interested in the role.

Louisville has not yet officially announced Payne’s firing.