Pat Kelsey‘s longest-tenured staff member is getting a promotion — one that reflects the ever-changing nature of college sports in this new revenue-sharing era.
Louisville basketball on Monday announced defensive coordinator Brian Kloman‘s move from assistant coach to executive director of player personnel and strategic initiatives. This front-office title is similar to the one held on the gridiron by Vince Marrow, who in June left Kentucky to join Jeff Brohm‘s staff as executive director of player personnel and recruiting.
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Kloman’s role, according to a news release, will allow the Asheville, North Carolina, native to focus on “recruiting, roster construction and cap management” in addition to “positioning Louisville at the forefront of the sport’s rapidly changing dynamics and navigating the complexities of modern college athletics.”
Kloman was instrumental in the Cardinals’ drastic turnaround during Kelsey’s first year at the helm — helping build from scratch a roster that went 27-8 and snapped a five-year NCAA Tournament drought in 2024-25, then reloading for a highly anticipated 2025-26. He also works closely with athletics director Josh Heird on scheduling.
“Brian Kloman is one of the most unique and talented figures in college basketball,” Kelsey said in a statement. “He’s my right-hand man, someone who knows what I’m thinking before I’m thinking it. His promotion to Executive Director of Player Personnel and Strategic Initiatives is a testament to his elite skill set, which touches every facet of our program.
“While many programs are hiring general managers to handle the professional aspects of college basketball, that title would undersell the immense value Brian brings to Louisville. We are thrilled to recognize his contributions with this role.”
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Duke was the first DI men’s basketball program to hire a general manager back in 2022. Since then, the position has sprouted up at Baylor, UConn, Michigan, North Carolina, Syracuse and elsewhere.
“I’m deeply honored to take on this role and continue serving the University of Louisville,” Kloman said in a statement. “Working alongside Coach Kelsey for over a decade has been a privilege, and I’m excited to help lead this program into the future. Our focus remains on building a championship culture, recruiting elite talent and staying ahead of the curve in college basketball. I’m ready to make our fans and this city proud.”
Louisville assistant basketball coach Brian Kloman has spent the last decade as an assistant under Pat Kelsey, coaching with him at Winthrop and College of Charleston. July 17, 2024.
Kloman is entering his 12th season as a member of Kelsey’s staff — following the head coach from Winthrop to Charleston and now U of L. Together, they have compiled a 254-100 record, six regular-season conference championships and five NCAA Tournament appearances.
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Before teaming up with Kelsey, Kloman was an assistant at Tennessee Tech, North Carolina Central, Pikeville College, Daniel Webster and Pfeiffer University. In 2008, he started a now-defunct website called RecruitingRumors.com, which became a trusted source for intel among collegiate coaches. His father, Chris Ferguson, spent 30 years in the profession — at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, East Carolina, Oklahoma State and Charlotte.
“Brian’s gift for anticipating and capitalizing on trends in college basketball is unmatched,” Kelsey said. “His vision, work ethic and ability to connect with players, coaches and stakeholders make him an invaluable asset. He’s been a driving force behind our success at Winthrop, College of Charleston, and now Louisville. This promotion reflects his critical role in restoring Louisville basketball to national prominence.”
Kloman earned a base salary of $400,000 as an assistant coach at Louisville. His move to executive director of player personnel and strategic initiatives leaves a vacancy on the Cards’ on-court coaching staff; of which there can be five members.
Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball GM: Brian Kloman in new role on Pat Kelsey staff
