LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kenny Payne’s time away from college basketball did not last long.

On Thursday, 36 days after he was dismissed by the University of Louisville, Payne chose to reunite with John Calipari and work as the associate head coach at the University of Arkansas.

A source said that Payne chose that position over an opportunity to join Mark Pope’s staff at the University of Kentucky. Representatives from UK talked to Payne about a return to Kentucky for more than a month.

At least two NBA teams were also interested in adding him to their staffs. 

After conversations with several parties this week, Payne made the decision to go Fayetteville with Calipari late Thursday afternoon. After 15 seasons at Kentucky, Calipari signed a 5-year deal with Arkansas last week.

Payne worked for Calipari at Kentucky for more than a decade, playing a significant role in the recruitment and development of players like Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others. 

Recruiting insiders expect Payne's first recruit at Arkansas to be Karter Knox, a 5-star forward from the Overtime Elite program in Atlanta. Knox was primed to commit to the U of L before Payne was fired. He then committed to UK before de-committing after Calipari left for Arkansas.

After 10 seasons at UK, Payne left to work for the New York Knicks in 2020. Louisville hired him to replace Chris Mack two years ago.,

But Payne’s two U of L squads went 4-28 and 8-24, winning only one road game in two seasons. U of L athletic director Josh Heird fired him on March 13 with four years remaining on his contract. Payne and the school reached a settlement that will pay him $7.25 over the next three seasons.

There is not an offset in Payne’s settlement for the salary he will make at Arkansas, which is expected to be at least $1 million.

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