LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) - Louisville director of player development and alumni relations Peyton Siva had an itch to be a part of Louisville men's basketball again.
That is no surprise. The city welcomed the 2013 national champion back with open arms after his playing career ended. He has made it a point to be involved, helping spearhead The Basketball Tournament's arrival here while also playing in it and opening a "Shoot 360" basketball training facility too.
But once the Cardinals decided to make a coaching change, replacing Kenny Payne with Pat Kelsey, he saw an opening to help the program that made him a household name in this city. Siva said he reached out to U of L Athletics Director Josh Heird and a few others to express interest in the role formerly occupied by another Louisville great in Milt Wagner, which is similar to what former Cardinal wide receiver Deion Branch has with the football program.
"Once Kelsey got hired, and I saw his fire and passion, I wanted to join the staff and be in this role," Siva said. "I got a chance to talk to Coach Kelsey and he loved the idea of it. It's been great, man. It's been great to just get the chance to be back here and work with the staff, be back around the facility."
In his new role, the former point guard hopes to distribute advice and wisdom to current Cardinals as well as make sure former ones feel a connection to the program. His interest in such a job only intensified after Kelsey's impressive introductory news conference and meeting with the new coach.
"He's just very personable," Siva said. "He gives off great energy and just his passion for the program kind of matched my passion for it. I played here for four years. I lived around Louisville. My wife is from Louisville. So, it just kind of was a great match."
Louisville's Peyton Siva smiles near the end of the Cardinals' championship game win over Michigan. (AP)
Coaching was something Siva started thinking about during his last season as a professional player in Australia. He said he took part in a coaching development program with the National Basketball Players Association that led him to working at the NBA's Top 100 camp for high schoolers and G-League Elite Camp for the NBA Draft.
As the former floor general broke down video and dove into all the different tasks that come with coaching, he realized he really enjoyed it. But Siva, who was honored during his time as a player for his character and community service work, also thought a major passion of his would seamlessly fit this support staff position.
"I feel like my purpose is just the mentor aspect of it, helping guys on and off the court grow in life," Siva said. "Just the knowledge that I gained over the years playing, the mentors that I had while playing, it was only right for me to be able to give back to them and to the next generation."
The two-time Louisville captain, who went to two Final Fours, hopes his players learn the value of controlling what they can control and a short memory for mistakes or successes. In the current everchanging landscape of college athletics, athletes have more options than ever thanks to NIL and the transfer portal. But those developments also mean more pressure and people in their ears when it is time to make difficult decisions.
After completing his fifth season with ALBA Berlin in Germany, former Louisville guard Peyton Siva is a professional free agent. From Eurohoops.net
"Guys always need help," Siva said. "When I played, before I played, after I played, everyone's going to need help. And even now with the structure of getting paid, how to manage money, things of that nature, now more than ever you kind of need that mentorship, right?
"Because a lot of guys coming out of high school, coming out of different colleges are going to have a lot of yes men around them. My job as a coach and as an employee of the university is to shoot straight with them. 'Hey, man, this is not right,' or, 'Hey, this is right,' you know, the tough love aspect of it. As Kelsey likes to say, it is keeping the standard the standard: never wavering from it, holding them accountable, and not being a yes man to them. So, that's a big role for me, especially in today's game, especially in today's college athletic world."
It is especially needed at his alma mater too. After what has been a rough period for Louisville men's hoops, Siva is seeing some more buzz surrounding the program.
"I see the energy in the city just changing," Siva said. "I'm a big positivity guy, getting positive vibes out there. And you can just see that back in the city, man. You go around talking to fans, they're so excited. Everybody just has a new wind about them, everybody is pumped and ready to go.
"So, that's great from our side. And for me, just being a part of the staff and working with the guys, I mean, just the relentless hours that they put in to get this team ready, to get the team together is just amazing to be a part of. So, just for the fans to know that everyone's working hard, everyone's working tirelessly to bring it back to where it once was, we're looking forward to it."
Not as much as the man who ranks second all time in assists for Louisville has been looking forward to it. Maybe this was not what he once expected for his official return as a member of the program. But his assists as a mentor could be coming at the right time.
"I never really imagined that it would be in this capacity," Siva said of his return. "I'll be able to show my love for the university, but also for the fans. I thought it was a great chance to really repay the university, repay the city, enjoying and just kind of be that person that can connect the fans to the team and just kind of be that bridge. It's an amazing opportunity."
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