David Padgett won't be back as Louisville's coach

3:02 PM ET

Louisville has informed David Padgett that the school will not bring him back as the full-time basketball coach.

Padgett, who had been the Cardinals' interim coach in the wake of Rick Pitino's firing last year, first revealed the news Wednesday in an interview with 247Sports and later confirmed the school's decision to ESPN.

"They are going in a different direction," Padgett told 247 Sports. "They appreciated my efforts and everything I did with this team and to make it a good situation. Obviously they wished me nothing but the best and I feel the same about the university."

Louisville formally announced the decision at a news conference Wednesday.

"Crazy progression, but a fun one when you have a chance to coach great kids," Padgett said.

Padgett took over on an interim basis after Louisville fired Pitino following the FBI investigation into college basketball. Allegations against Louisville included payments of $100,000 to the family of Brian Bowen to sign with the Cardinals.

Padgett had been on Pitino's staff for three seasons before being promoted to interim head coach. He also played under Pitino at Louisville from 2005-08.

Padgett led Louisville to the brink of the NCAA tournament, but the Cardinals were left out on Selection Sunday. They finished their season in the NIT quarterfinals.

Xavier's Chris Mack is the front-runner for the permanent job at Louisville, according to ESPN's Jeff Goodman.

Information from ESPN's Jeff Borzello used in this report.

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