Duke’s Nolan Smith Headed Home to Join Louisville Men’s Basketball Program

Duke’s Nolan Smith is headed home to Louisville to join the Cardinals men’s basketball program alongside Kenny Payne. According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, Nolan has accepted the position as associate head coach.

Former NBA guard Nolan Smith has spoke with Duke’s men’s basketball staff and told them he plans on accepting a job as associate head coach with new head coach Kenny Payne at the University of Louisville, a source told @andscape. Smith’s late father Derek starred with the Cards.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 4, 2022

Nolan, who won a championship with the 2010 Duke program, had a brief stint in the NBA before heading back to the college ranks as an assistant coach with Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils team.

Derek Smith, Nolan’s father, played for the Cardinal – helping the team win a National Championship in 1980.

Smith, who is a rising star within the coaching ranks, looks to revamp a Cardinals team that finished 13-19 overall, including 6-14 in conference play.

The “People Champ’s” has been pivotal piece for recruiting within the Duke men’s program, including this years #1 ranked All-American Class.

An official announcement from the Duke’s men program is looming.

Who should replace Nolan Smith at Duke? A name to watch out for…. J.J. Redick. Would be interesting to see if Duke could persuade Redick back to the college ranks, especially the asset he’s become for ESPN as a NBA analyst.