After concluding that Mack didn't comply with university guidelines and procedures, Louisville suspended Mack as men's basketball coach for six games on Friday. He was extorted from his former assistant coach.
Louisville stated in a statement, that Mack would be out of work from Nov. 8 to Nov. 27, and would miss six non ACC games including two in the Bahamas. Mack will not be allowed to contact players or coaches during the suspension. According to the school, he will lose approximately $221,000 in compensatory funds.
"As I've stated since the beginning, we have high standards for all of our staff and coaches and hold people responsible for their actions," Cardinals athletics director Vince Tyra stated in a statement. "While we have made significant progress over the past four years in changing our Department of Athletics' culture, we can't afford to have any setbacks in our pursuits. I feel confident that Coach Mack understands the consequences of his actions. He is a man we can all trust to move forward."
The Western District of Kentucky's acting U.S. attorney charged Dino Gaudio, a former basketball assistant, with one federal charge of trying to extort money or other valuable items from the university.
Gaudio was charged with "threatening to report to media allegations that the University of Louisville men’s basketball program had violated [NCAA] Rules in its production of recruiting video for prospective student-athletes, and its use of graduate aids in practice. Unless the University of Louisville paid [Gaudio] a salary for an additional 17 month or provided the lump sum equivalent of 17 monthly salary."
Gaudio sent a text message to University of Louisville personnel later that day, containing one of his recruiting videos, which he threatened to send to the media. According to the government, the text message was sent outside Kentucky.
Gaudio, 64, pleaded guilty on June 4 to the charge of interstate communications with intent to exort. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Gaudio was sentenced to one year probation and a $10,000 penalty.
Mack released a statement saying that Mack regretted any unintentional actions or failures of University guidelines that have drawn unnecessary attention to University's outstanding athletic programs. Mack said, "I accept the suspension because I know that I could have handled things differently. Although it is difficult to be away for our basketball family in November and will hurt me, I will do my best to ensure that they succeed before and after I return. I also have full confidence that our coaches, staff, and student-athletes can rise to the occasion.
