Kenny Johnson won’t be going anywhere, thank you. He’s a happy camper on the University of Louisville basketball staff, looking forward to a bright future with the program.

Rick Pitino promoted him to associate head coach on Tuesday, putting a quick end to a rumor that Johnson had wandering eyes. Sticking around, getting a big raise, signing a two-year contract, much to the disappointment of whoever started the speculation.

Kenny Johnson not going anywhere.
Kenny Johnson not going anywhere.

“I believe in the integrity of Coach Pitino and it is an honor to continue to be a part of the program that he leads,” said Johnson, who signed a new two-year agreement with UofL. “I love this program and what it means to so many great people. Just as a legion of supporters have had our back and continue to have our back, so shall I have theirs. L1C4.”

Johnson is recognized as a top recruiter on a national level. After surveying more than 60 collegiate coaches, ESPN Insider, named Johnson as the nation’s 10th best recruiting assistant coach in a recent listing. While an assistant at Indiana University, Johnson helped the Hoosiers assemble two top 20 recruiting classes, including a top five class in 2013.

Johnson was involved in the recruitment of high school All-American V.J. King who will join UofL next season. King, a 6-foot-7, 180-pound small forward from Fairfax, Va., is a consensus five-star player. He plays at Paul VI High School where Johnson once coached and plays for Team Takeover, Johnson’s former AAU team.

Interesting that Kentucky was among the programs hotly pursuing King before he signed to play at Louisville. Surely UK fans are above starting rumors based on wishful thinking. They wouldn’t want UofL to lose a recruiter like Johnson. Would they? Surely not.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.