Chris Mack will serve a six-game suspension during the 2021-2022 Louisville basketball season, the school announced on Friday.
Louisville will be without head coach Chris Mack for a six-game stretch during the upcoming season.
Mack will serve a six-game suspension from Nov. 8-Nov. 27. All games are non-conference games, two of which are in the Bahamas. While suspended, Mack will be barred from having any contact with his coaching staff of the team. He will lose $221,000 as a result of his suspension without pay.
Chris Mack was a victim of an extortion attempt by former Louisville basketball assistant coach Dino Gaudio but Mack failed to follow the university rules and policies in reacting to the issue. It sounds weird that Mack was a victim but he is also penalized for his response to the extortion attempt.
Gaudio was sentenced to one year of probation and a $10,000 fine for extortion.
According to Card Chronicle, the sanctions imposed on Mack are unrelated to the extortion attempt, though.
Louisville coach Chris Mack to serve 6-game suspension this season
"“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,” said U of L Vice President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra. “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.”"
Louisville president Neeli Bendapudi said Mack may not have intentionally set out to break the rules and while he’s done positive things during his tenure, he is not immune to punishment.
"“Our university is on a positive trajectory in so many areas and athletics is a critical component to our mission and to our engagement,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “While Chris has done so many positive things during a challenging time for our men’s basketball program, he is held to the same standards as other U of L employees, and we believe that this suspension is commensurate with his actions—whether intentional or not.”"
Mack released the following statement, expressing his regret for not knowingly breaking the guidelines and vows to have his team ready to withstand his brief absence.
"“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,” said Mack. “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.”"
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