Louisville coach Chris Mack will be suspended six games without pay during the upcoming 2021-22 season, the University announced Friday.
Mack was a victim of an extortion attempt by former Louisville assistant Dino Gaudio, but the Louisville head coach failed to follow University guidelines, policies, and procedures in handling the matter.
“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,” Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra said. “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. We all have confidence in him moving forward. I am grateful for the partnership and support of President Bendapudi in this matter.”
The suspension is from November 8th-November 27th, where Mack is prohibited from having contact with the men’s basketball roster and staff.
According to Louisville, Mack will forfeit approximately $221,000.
“I regret that any of my unintentional actions or failures to follow University guidelines have brought unnecessary attention to our outstanding athletics programs and University,” Mack said in a statement. “I understand that I could have handled matters differently and therefore I accept this suspension. While it will kill me to be away from our basketball family in November, 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.”
