How Pat Kelsey kept Louisville basketball recruiting strong without GM

Louisville basketball coach Pat Kelsey has built the nation’s No. 1 transfer portal class entering his third season, despite losing two longtime assistants. Thomas Carr, who joined Kelsey in 2022-23 at Charleston, left for Indiana, while Brian Kloman—who worked with Kelsey for 12 years—departed to become Auburn’s general manager. Kloman previously served as Louisville’s executive director of player personnel, overseeing recruiting, roster management, and revenue generation. Kelsey described Kloman’s role as a ‘one-year trial’ and opted not to hire a replacement GM, instead promoting John Andrzejek and Sean Dixon to associate head coach positions. Andrzejek previously coached at Campbell, while Dixon spent four years as an assistant at Clemson. The program’s recruiting success continues, with five of 247Sports.com’s top 150 transfers committing to Louisville for the 2026-27 season. The Cardinals, aiming for a Final Four run, have secured a roster stacked with high-level talent despite staffing changes. Kelsey emphasized delegation as his strategy, stating he assigns clear responsibilities and expects staff to prioritize their roles. He expressed gratitude for Carr and Kloman’s contributions, calling their departures a positive shift for both parties. With a strong transfer class and no GM in place, Louisville remains focused on extending its NCAA Tournament success. The team’s recent momentum suggests Kelsey’s leadership and staff adjustments have not hindered recruiting efforts.