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Chris Mack and Louisville agreed to a “separation agreement” ending his tenure as head coach on Wednesday.

Mack said assistant coach Mike Pegues would assume head-coaching duties.



Mack said he spoke with the team earlier in the day, but the players were already informed of his departure.

“They already knew,” Mack said, adding he wished for the chance to be the first to tell them. “You can’t do things the right way anymore. You need approval and all that stuff.”

Mack, 52, was in his fourth season as coach of the Cardinals. Louisville (11-9, 5-5 ACC) lost to Virginia by 12 points Monday night, its fourth double-digit loss in its past five games. That hasn’t happened at the school since 1940.

“It’s been building,” he said. “We all want the best for Louisville. I still do. That’s not going to change. It’s not really important when (he learned he would be fired) any of that stuff. What’s important is these guys need to be reconnected. I’m humble enough that if I’m not the right person, all good, man. … I harbor no bitterness. Life’s too short. I know in 2022 everyone wants to be a victim. I don’t live my life that way.”

Mack said Louisville is a “hard place” and “you have to win games” to stick around.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)