University of Louisville fans want to know what's next for the football program now that the Cards have fired coach Steve Kragthorpe.
He leaves UofL with over $2 million. But Monday afternoon, the former coach talked to reporters for the first time since he was let go on Saturday morning.
He had a message for the fans.
There were no tears from Steve Kragthorpe. He didn't seem depressed. Even cracked a few jokes. But he did make it clear that he's sad about not getting the chance to continue to coach the Cardinal football team.
“Sorry that I didn't win more football games. Ultimately that's the way you're judged on this earth if you're a football coach is how many games you win and how many games you lose. And I didn't win enough football games to get to stay here. And that's the only regret that I have is that I didn't win more games because I felt like we were making a real positive impact here with our players,” said Kragthorpe.
Kragthorpe says leaving these players will be the hardest part. He says the players are like his own children and as far as his own children go he says the silver lining in all this is he'll be spending more time with them and his wife at least for the immediate future.
“You know I may just take a year and be a dad and watch Chris on Saturday’s and watch Brad and Nick. They'll go to the same school and be on the same team as a sophomore and senior. So that's gonna be kinda neat for them. I may just sit and watch them. Watch them play and be a real person.”
Louisville went 15-21 during Kragthorpe's tenure. He said he believes the Cardinals aren't far from returning to the postseason. Kragthorpe said he thinks Louisville can win eight or nine games next season.
The list for Kragthorpe's potential replacements include Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and former Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer.
