Louisville assistant Nolan Smith to make more than Chris Mack's assistants. Here's how much

Louisville Courier Journal

Kenny Payne's first Louisville basketball coaching staff is nearly complete, but his assistants' contracts aren't set yet.

At least one new staffer, however, will make more in salary than any assistant on Chris Mack's final team.

Nolan Smith, introduced earlier this week as Payne's first assistant, will earn $400,000 in base salary according to his signed offer letter, acquired by the Courier-Journal via open records request.

Another hire made:Ex-Kansas star, Wake Forest coach Danny Manning joins Louisville basketball staff

In addition, Smith will receive a $500 monthly stipend for a car. The offer letter, which Smith signed April 6, includes a family membership to the University of Louisville Golf Club. He's eligible for up to $15,000 in moving expenses, plus 30 days of temporary housing.

Nolan Smith was welcomed by former UofL player Jerry Eaves after the former Duke assistant was announced as an assistant coach for the Louisville men's basketball team at Monday afternoon's press conference. "I know that's someone's looking down on us, smiling ... and that's his father, who taught me everything I know," said head coach Kenny Payne. "To have (Nolan) in this program. Derek's blood and spirit is back in Nolan." April 11, 2022

Smith likely can build on his base salary with bonuses, but those are not included in the offer letter. The letter indicates that bonuses "will be agreed upon and finalized in (an) employment contract."

That contract is not yet finalized, according to an email from Louisville's Office of General Counsel.

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Mike Pegues was the highest-paid assistant coach on Louisville's staff last season, earning $340,000 in base salary. Assistant coach Ross McMains had a base salary of $270,000 and assistant coach Khail Fennel $210,000.

Pegues was paid an additional $340,000 bonus for serving as the Cardinals' interim head coach after U of L and head coach Chis Mack reached a separation agreement Jan. 26.

Smith joined the basketball staff at Duke in 2016, where as a player he won a national championship in 2010 and in 2011 was a consensus All-American. Smith, 33, had been promoted to assistant coach last spring. During his years on staff, he built a reputation as an up-and-coming assistant, particularly as a recruiter.

Payne on Friday introduced former Kansas great Danny Manning as his second assistant coach. There is one vacancy remaining on Payne's coaching staff.

News of Manning's hire was kept quiet until Friday morning, just hours before he was formally introduced at a news conference. Payne declined to say when he might round out his staff.

"I do not have a timeline, and I guess by now you probably realize I’m very secretive," Payne said during Friday's press conference. "I want to surprise you guys. I don’t want you to know which way I’m walking in the door."