Louisville men's basketball promotes Brian Kloman to key front-office role

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDR) -- Pat Kelsey is reshaping the structure of his Louisville men's basketball program, and one of his most trusted assistants is stepping off the bench and into a key front-office role.

Brian Kloman, who served as Kelsey's defensive coordinator last season, was promoted to executive director of player personnel and strategic initiatives — a position that will place him at the head of roster construction, recruiting operations and the business side of college basketball's evolving ecosystem.

Effectively, Kloman becomes a general manager in everything but title, overseeing recruiting, contract negotiations, cap management and roster strategy at a time when such roles are becoming increasingly common across high-major programs.

"Brian Kloman is one of the most unique and talented figures in college basketball," Kelsey said. "He's my right-hand man, someone who knows what I'm thinking before I'm thinking it. His promotion to Executive Director of Player Personnel and Strategic Initiatives is a testament to his elite skill set, which touches every facet of our program. While many programs are hiring general managers to handle the professional aspects of college basketball, that title would undersell the immense value Brian brings to Louisville."

Kloman's fingerprints were all over Louisville's dramatic turnaround last season, helping assemble a completely overhauled roster that led the Cardinals to a 27-8 finish and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. The team was the most improved in the nation by both win total and NET ranking.

A major part of that improvement came on defense, which took on even greater importance after early-season injuries and setbacks.

He'll continue to play a central role in Louisville's recruiting strategy, both domestically and internationally, while also helping the program anticipate and navigate the shifting realities of NIL, revenue sharing, and roster management in the new era of college sports.

Kloman, a native of Asheville, North Carolina, has worked alongside Kelsey for more than a decade, including stints at Winthrop and College of Charleston before arriving at Louisville in 2023. He previously coached at Tennessee Tech, North Carolina Central, Pikeville College, Daniel Webster, and Pfeiffer University. He also founded the recruiting site RecruitingRumors.com in 2008, which became a go-to resource for college coaches.

"I'm deeply honored to take on this role and continue serving the University of Louisville," Kloman said. "Working alongside Coach Kelsey for over a decade has been a privilege, and I'm excited to help lead this program into the future. Our focus remains on building a championship culture, recruiting elite talent, and staying ahead of the curve in college basketball. I'm ready to make our fans and this city proud."

His promotion reflects not only a shift in duties but a broader transformation in how Louisville is choosing to operate — less like a traditional college team and more like a modern pro franchise. The goal is to take business-side burdens off the coaching staff while dedicating more strategic focus to critical areas like personnel and finance.

Duke, which pioneered the model in the ACC, was the first to formally adopt such a structure. Others have followed suit.

"Brian's gift for anticipating and capitalizing on trends in college basketball is unmatched," Kelsey added. "His vision, work ethic, and ability to connect with players, coaches, and stakeholders make him an invaluable asset. He's been a driving force behind our success at Winthrop, College of Charleston, and now Louisville. This promotion reflects his critical role in restoring Louisville basketball to national prominence."