Would Eric Musselman Leave for Louisville?

Arkansas Head Basketball Coach Eric Musselman has been linked to the Louisville job. Would he ever leave Arkansas for the job?

In what was an expected move, Louisville Men’s Basketball and Head Coach Chris Mack mutually parted ways the athletic department announced Wednesday. 

Even before the announcement of Mack’s departure, there have been rumors circulating as to who would be the next leader of the prestigious Cardinals program. Many top coaches from the Southeastern Conference have been roped into the rumors, including Alabama’s Nate Oats, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, and even Arkansas Head Coach Eric Musselman.

While the Louisville job has the perks of coaching in an elite basketball league alongside the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, and Syracuse while doing so in the 29th largest city in the United States by population. But, would that be enough to entice Musselman away from Fayetteville?

Katie George, former volleyball player for Louisville and current analyst for the ACC Network, joined ACC Radio on Sirius XM to discuss the opening at her Alma Mater. What would make the Louisville job desirable?

“You have programs that have won one national title, then you have programs that have won multiple national titles. So that automatically makes (the Louisville job) special,” says George. “There are no professional sports in the city of Louisville. So you have fan bases that are either supporting Louisville, or they are supporting Kentucky. So there is this incredible rivalry. You have all this passion, (fans) really, really care. They put their heart and soul into their team.”

The perks, according to George, seem very similar to what Musselman has at Arkansas. Musselman has an entire state passionate fans and alumni on his side. Not only does he have the support, but he keeps the Razorbacks competitive in a very tough SEC.

George also mentions the hot names of SEC coaches tied to the rumor mill, including Musselman. Would either of those coaches leave their current job for Louisville? George says it’s all about prospective. How does Musselman, Pearl, Oats, and Will Wade view the Louisville job?

“These guys are at SEC schools, and they have had a lot of success,” says George of potential targets for the job. “Do they look at the current positions they hold and say, “No, no, no, what we have going on here.. our program is better and more special than what’s happening in Louisville right now? Or do they look at it and think of the Louisville that was 10, 20 years ago? I don’t know.”

Since taking the Arkansas job in 2019, Musselman has a record of 60-24, including a 25-7 overall record in 2020 and a top-10 finish.

Catch all of what Katie George had to say about the Louisville opening here:

 

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