Kenny Payne joins John Calipari as Arkansas’ associate HC

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th April, 20:15 2024

Mar 12, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Kenny Payne looks on from the bench against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the second half at Capital One Arena. credits: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Former Louisville head coach Kenny Payne has reunited with John Calipari at Arkansas.

Payne will serve as the Razorbacks' associate head coach, the program announced Thursday.

Payne was 12-52 in two seasons coaching his alma mater, including 8-24 in 2023-24, before being dismissed.

Before that, Payne, 57, worked for Calipari at Kentucky from 2010-2020. Originally an assistant coach, he was promoted to associate head coach in 2014. He left the Wildcats to become an assistant coach for the New York Knicks, where he spent two seasons.

Calipari stepped down at Kentucky and took the same position at Arkansas earlier this offseason.

—Field Level Media