< PreviousL ouisville women’s basketball strength and con- ditioning coach Rhen Vail and the Louisville sports performance team are focused on delivering the finest training program to reduce injury risk, enhance athletic performance and increase com- petitive success. The primary vision of the sports performance team is to create an integrated health and perfor- mance ecosystem, and to develop the next genera- tion of elite performance professionals. To accomplish this, we abide by the Louisville Sports Performance CODE – (C)ulture, (O)perating System, (D)ata Science, (E)xecution. Culture is defined as a commitment to shared values, attitudes, standards, traditions and practices. At Louisville, we are committed to creating and sustaining a championship culture through our environment, coaches, and approach. It’s about the name on the front, not the name on the back. Our athletes believe in leaving the jersey bet- ter than they found it. Our operating system aligns with our mission, vision, and values. It organizes our people and stan- dardizes our processes across the teams we serve, allowing for a consistent and seamless delivery of service. We are committed to optimizing injury pre- vention and performance. We use key tools and technologies to quantify training and monitor athlete risk and readiness. This data drives insights and decisions, allowing us to train smarter, not just harder. Our Performance Analytics Division provides specialized expertise unmatched in col- legiate athletics. We educate, motivate, inspire and empower. The best laid plans fail without effective execu- tion. We deliver our training focused on the ‘art of the science’- coaching the person, not just the program. At Louisville Sports Performance, the mission is “building athletes and preparing champions, for sports and life.” I njuries are a part of sports - they come with every aspect of the game. Dealing with ath- letic injuries falls into the capable hands of head athletic trainer Yoshi Saito and the University of Louisville Sports Medicine Staff. The Department of Sports Medicine at the University of Louisville is a team of health care professionals dedicated to athlete care, research and education. The goal of the Louisville Sports Medicine Department is to provide state of the art com- prehensive medical care services to the intercol- legiate student athletes at the University of Louis- ville. These services will be provided using these four domains: Prevention of athletic injuries Recognition, evaluation, and treatment of ath- letic injuries Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries Professional development and responsibility Our philosophy is that the medical needs of the student athlete are the first consideration for all members of our sports medicine staff. The sports medicine staff at the University of Louisville will be determined to utilize the most current technologies available, therefore allowing the sports medicine staff the ability to provide the most state of the art medical care in the nation. 28 University of Louisville | gocards.comMission Statement Our mission is to pro- vide comprehensive aca- demic support, counseling, guidance, services, and programming to all Univer- sity of Louisville student- athletes while promoting self-responsibility, personal growth, and academic development. Academic Counseling Student-athletes are required to meet with their academic counselor on a regular basis. Counselors provide academic support to assure student-ath- letes are utilizing available resources and maintain- ing satisfactory academic progress to stay on track for graduation. They monitor academic progress throughout the semester and communicate with coaches concerning student performance and aca- demic issues. Learning Concerns Student-athletes with specific learning chal- lenges may require increased support in addition to our academic counselors. Our staff includes three learning specialists with years of special education experience to work with these students on enhanc- ing note taking, test taking, study, time manage- ment, and organizational skills. They also work with the University’s Disability Resource Center to coordinate services for our students with diagnosed learning challenges. Tutoring Tutoring is one of the most utilized resources for our student-athletes. The Tutorial Coordinator currently manages a group of approximately 65 tutors across all subject areas. She works with our Compliance office to assure all tutors are staying within NCAA regulations and coordinates with the University’s Resources for Academic Achievement (REACH) center to make sure our tutors are College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) certified. Career Services Our Cardinal Athletic Career Center provides career guidance and planning for all student- athletes. The Director of Career Services assists in resume development, job shadows, and internships throughout their college experience with the long- term goal of admission into graduate school or job placement upon graduation. Objective Based Study Hall All incoming student-athletes are required to participate in objective based study hall. The pro- gram is built upon students working with their counselors to create and complete weekly objective sheets in a structured environment. Specific stipu- lations such as the number of hours and upper- classmen requirements vary from team to team. Progress Reports Progress reports for all student-athletes are sent out to instructors twice each semester via email. Their feedback is an invaluable tool in assessing aca- demic progress and formulating academic recovery strategies for students that may be struggling. Travel Letters All in-season student-athletes will be given offi- cial University travel letters at the beginning of the semester. Travel letters will detail all the classes that are expected to be missed that semester due to athletic competition. They provide student-athletes an opportunity to engage their instructors early in the semester regarding any potential issues with missed assignments or exams, allowing ample time to make appropriate arrangements. Priority Registration All student-athletes meet with their athletic aca- demic counselor and University advisor for major advising, course selection, and to discuss degree program requirements. It is imperative that students understand how the classes they take impact their progress toward degree and determine whether they stay on track for graduation. Facilities The Thorntons Academic Center for Excellence serves as the main location of Academic Services for Athletics. We also have academic centers located in the Howard Schnellenberger Football Com- plex (Woodruff Academic Center), Yum! Center, Jim Patterson Stadium, women’s basketball lounge, and golf offices (Dow Huffman Academic Center) to more conveniently serve the needs of those student-athletes. The Throntons Aca- demic Center opened in 2016 at the south end of the football stadium. Technology All of our academic facilities are equipped with computer labs and printers to meet student-ath- lete needs. We also have a full time Computer Specialist who works to ensure that all labs are operational and assists with diagnosing issues on student’s personal laptops as they arise. Due to travel demands and the increased amount of online work, we provide laptops for our students to check out as needed. Aid, Awards, and Scholarships Academic counselors assist our student-athletes on completing nominations for University, Atlantic Coast Conference, and NCAA awards and scholarships. They work with our compliance office on financial aid issues as well as awarding summer and fifth-year aid. We also coordinate the Houston-Bridgeman Fellows Car- dinal Degree Completion program to assist returning student-athletes in graduating. Organizations Academic Services for Athletics advis- es several Registered Student Organizations exclusive to our student-athletes. Student- Athletes of Color Combining Opportunity and Responsibility for Excellence (SCORE) and Louisville International Family Enrich- ment (LIFE) help serve the needs of our minority and international students. These groups pro- vide programming and opportunities to get involved on campus and in the commu- nity. We also over- see the Univer- sity of Louisville chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Col- lege Athlete Honor Society. Chris May gocards.com | University of Louisville 29Louisville Coaching Staffgocards.com n University of Louisville 35 BASKETBALL Coaching Staff L ightning speed. That’s the only rate at which Jeff Walz operates. It’s also the pace at which University of Louisville women’s basketball burst into the national spotlight under his tutelage as one of the most competitive and successful programs. On October 22, 2021, it was announced that his contract with the University of Louisville had been extended through 2028. Entering his 15th season as head coach, Walz and the Cardinals boast quite an astounding resumé that includes 10 trips to the NCAA Sweet 16, six trips to the Elite Eight, three trips to the final four and two trips to the national title game. Overall, he has compiled a 33-12 record in NCAA Tournament games and ranks ninth all-time and fifth among active coaches with a 73.3 NCAA Tournament winning percentage. All of this for a program that had just four NCAA Tournament wins and had never reached a Sweet 16 prior to Walz being named head coach. Walz is the all-time winningest coach in program history with a record of 385-108 and averages 27.5 victories per season. He directed Louisville to a program-record 36 victories in 2017-18 en route to being named ACC Coach of the Year, 34 victories in 2008-09, 33 wins in 2013-14 and 32 wins in 2018- 19. The Cardinals finished with 28 and 26 wins in the shortened 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. The Cardinals have reached 20 wins 11 consec- utive times and they have won at least 20 games in 13 of Walz’s 14 seasons. The longest run previously was three, achieved twice, and UofL had just 10 20-win seasons in its 32 previous years. Walz has led Louisville to four consecutive Atlan- tic Coast Conference regular season titles in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and over that four-year span, the Cardinals are a combined 122-15, which marks the fewest losses and best winning percent- age over a four-year period in program history. He also coached the ACC Player of the Year in five of six seasons as Myisha Hines-Allen won the award in 2016, Asia Durr in 2018 and 2019, and Dana Evans in 2020 and 2021. He also coached Angel McCoughtry to Big East Player of the Year honors in 2007. After being hired as the Cardinals’ head coach on March 27, 2007, the Bluegrass State native used little time to make a splash. His first year featured the pro- gram’s first NCAA Sweet 16 and it culminated with Lou- Head Coach | 15th Season36 University of Louisville n gocards.com BASKETBALL Coaching Staff isville earning the No. 12 ranking in the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. For his efforts, Walz was named the WBCA Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year. Prior to taking the reins at Louisville, Walz spent five seasons at Maryland, including his final season as the associate head coach in 2006-07. The sea- son prior, he helped lead the Terrapins to a school- record 34 wins and the program’s first national title. His tenure in the collegiate ranks consists of stops previously at Minnesota, Nebraska, and West- ern Kentucky. Walz received a basketball scholarship to North- ern Kentucky, where he graduated from with a bachelor of science in secondary education in May of 1995. He earned his master’s degree in educa- tion in August of 1997 from Western Kentucky. Walz has four children: daughter Kaeley, son Jacob, and daughters Lola and Lucy. He married the former Lauren Lueders in September of 2012, and the couple resides in Louisville. COACHING RESPONSIBILITY: Head Coach YEAR AT LOUISVILLE: 15th BIRTHDAY: October 27 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree (NKU, ’95); Master’s Degree (WKU, ’97) HOMETOWN: Fort Thomas, Ky. FAMILY: Wife – Lauren; Son – Jacob; Daughters – Kaeley, Lola, Lucy ATHLETIC CAREER Two-year letterwinner on the men’s basketball team at Northern Kentucky COLLEGIATE COACHING CAREER 2007-Present: Louisville (head coach) 2006-07: Maryland (associate head coach) 2002-06: Maryland (assistant coach) 2001-02: Minnesota (assistant coach) 1997-01: Nebraska (assistant coach) 1996-97: Western Kentucky (assistant coach) Coaching Highlights LOUISVILLE n Is the winningest coach in program history with a 385-108 record in 14 seasons, boasting a 174-54 mark in league play; Louisville is averaging 27.5 victories per year. n In 14 years, he has directed Louisville to a pair of national runner-up finishes (2009, 2013), three Final Four appearances (2009, 2013, 2018), six Elite Eight appearances (2009, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021), 10 trips to the Sweet 16, and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. At the conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season, the NCAA Tourna- ment was canceled. n One of 7 active coaches to reach at least three Final Fours. n Ranks ninth all-time in NCAA Tournament winning percentage (minimum of 20 games), boasting a 33-12 mark (73.3 winning percentage). n Became just the second coach in NCAA his- tory to take a team to the national championship game (2009) after just two seasons as a head coach. n In 2013, orchestrated the biggest upset in women’s basketball history with the defeat of No. 1 overall seed Baylor in the NCAA Sweet 16; Louisville then defeated No. 2 seed Tennessee to reach their second Final Four in four years before beating Cal to advance to the national title game. n Led Cards to 34 victories in 2009; after knock- ing off a pair of No. 1 seeds (Maryland, Oklahoma) and a No. 2 seed (Baylor), the Cardinals advanced to the championship game; Louisville defeated Maryland for its first NCAA Final Four appearance. n Named ACC Coach of the Year after produc- ing a program-best 36-3 record in 2017-18 as Lou- isville reached its third Final Four. Reached as high as No. 2 in Associated Press poll, which marked highest rating in school history. Opened season with a 20-0 record, which marked best start and longest winning streak in program history. n Directed Cardinals to 32-4 record and its second straight ACC regular season championship in 2018-19, which marked the first time in program history that Louisville has won back-to-back regular season conference titles. Advanced to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season. n Led Louisville to a 28-4 record and its third straight ACC regular season championship in 2019- 20. It marked the program’s first ever outright ACC regular season title. Prior to this stretch, Louisville had never won consecutive regular season confer- ence titles. It also marked UofL’s first outright regular season conference title since they won the Confer- ence USA regular season championship in 2000- 01. It marked their 8th conference title. n Led Cardinals to 26-4 record and its fourth straight ACC regular season title in 2020-21. Lon- gest stretch of conference titles in program history. Reached No. 1 in Associated Press and USA Today polls following 16-0 start, which marked the first time in program history being ranked No. 1 in the country. Advanced to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season. n Named WBCA Regional Coach of the Year, Naismith National Coach of the Year finalist in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and Naismith National Coach of the Year Semifinalist in 2019-20. n From 2017-2020, Louisville put together a 96-11 record, which marks the fewest losses and best winning percentage over a three-year span in program history. n Has directed the Cardinals to 11 consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories. n Recorded his 300th win with a 102-80 victory over Western Kentucky on Nov. 6, 2019. n Surpassed 200 career wins in just 272 games, becoming the 21st-fastest active coach to reach the plateau and achieving it nine games quicker than Connecticut head coach Geno Auriermma. n Twelve players have been drafted in the WNBA under the tutelage of Walz. Six players have been selected over the past three drafts (2019, 2020, 2021), which is tied with Baylor for most in the country. Dana Evans was selected by the Dal- las Wings with the 13th pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft. Jazmine Jones and forward Kylee Shook were selected in back-to-back picks by the New York Liberty in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Jones went 12th overall and was the final pick of the first round, while Shook went 13th. Asia Durr was selected second overall by the New York Liberty in the 2019 WNBA Draft and was later joined by Arica Carter, who went to the Phoenix Mercury with the 32nd pick, and Sam Fuehring, who went to the Washington Mystics with the 34th pick. With three players drafted in 2019, Louisville tied its program-record which was also set in 2014. Myisha Hines-Allen was drafted Year School Overall Home Away/Neutral Conf. Postseason 2007-08 Louisville 26-10 10-2 16-8 10-6 NCAA Sweet 16 2008-09 Louisville 34-15 14-1 20-4 14-2 NCAA Runner-Up 2009-10 Louisville 14-18 7-7 7-11 5-11 WBI 2010-11 Louisville 22-13 13-2 9-11 10-6 NCAA Sweet 16 2011-12 Louisville 23-10 11-2 12-8 10-6 NCAA 2nd Rd. 2012-13 Louisville 29-9 16-2 13-7 11-5 NCAA Runner-Up 2013-14 Louisville 33-5 18-2 15-3 16-2 NCAA Elite Eight 2014-15 Louisville 27-7 16-1 11-6 12-4 NCAA Sweet 16 2015-16 Louisville 26-8 13-3 13-5 15-1 NCAA 2nd Rd. 2016-17 Louisville 29-8 18-2 11-6 12-4 NCAA Sweet 16 2017-18 Louisville 36-3 18-1 18-2 15-1 NCAA Final Four 2018-19 Louisville 32-4 16-1 16-3 14-2 NCAA Elite Eight 2019-20 Louisville 28-4 13-1 15-3 16-2 No NCAA Tournament 2020-21 Louisville 26-4 13-1 13-3 14-2 NCAA Elite Eight Totals 14 seasons 385-108 196-28 189-80 174-54 Jeff Walz’s Career Coaching Record19th overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2018 WNBA Draft. In 2014, Louisville had three players drafted with Shoni Schimmel (eighth), Antonita Slaughter (35th), and Asia Taylor (36th); Louisville’s three picks were the most from any school that season. Angel McCoughtry was selected first overall by the Atlanta Dream in 2009 draft and Candyce Bingham was selected 39th in 2009 draft. n Coached Dana Evans to ACC Player of the Year and WBCA All-American accolades during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, joining Asia Durr as the only players to earn player of the year honors multiple times. She became the first player in ACC history (male or female) to win Player of the Year honors a year after winning ACC Sixth Player of the Year. Walz has coached the ACC Player of the Year in five of the past six seasons (Evans - 2020-21; 2019-20; Durr - 2018-19; 2017-18; Hines-Allen - 2015-16). She is the fourth player in program his- tory to earn a player of the year distinction, joining Durr, Hines-Allen and Angel McCoughtry (2006-07 Big East Player of the Year). She is third WBCA All- American in program history, joined by Durr and McCoughtry. n Piloted Asia Durr to ACC Player of the Year accolades for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 cam- paigns. She is the third player in program history to earn a player of the year distinction, joining Myisha Hines-Allen (2015-16 ACC Player of the Year) and Angel McCoughtry (2006-07 Big East Player of the Year). She is the first player in program history to earn player of the year honors multiple times. She was selected second overall by the New York Liberty in the 2019 WNBA Draft. n Named the 2008 WBCA Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year in his first season after leading the school to its first NCAA Sweet 16; that year, Louisville earned its first win over a top-five opponent (No. 4 Rutgers) in school history, then beat No. 16 West Virginia for consecutive wins over ranked opponents for the first time in school history. n Named USA Basketball National Coach of the Year after guiding the 2019 USA Basketball Women’s U19 National Team to a gold medal at the World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. Also led the 2018 U18 team to a gold medal in Mexico City. Served as court coach for 2017 USA Basketball National Team Training Camp. Served as U-23 National Team head coach during summer of 2017 and led team to 3-0 record at U24 Four Nations Tournament in Tokyo, Japan. Was on the 2014 staff for the USA Basketball Women’s U-18 National Team and worked as an assistant for the U.S. Women’s U-19 World Cham- pionship Team; both squads earned gold medals. n Guided the Cardinals to a 16-2 conference record in 2013-14 (AAC) and 2019-20 (ACC), setting the program record for most conference vic- tories. Coached the program to a stellar 15-1 mark in ACC play in 2015-16 and 2017-18, the second- most wins in conference play in school history. n Has a proven track record for identifying talent, having signed multiple top-10 recruiting classes; inked the program’s highest-rated group in 2015 that was ranked first by ESPN; overall, Walz has signed 15 McDonald’s All-Americans. n Developed five of the most decorated play- ers in school history in Angel McCoughtry, Shoni Schimmel, Myisha Hines-Allen, Asia Durr and Dana Evans; all finished their careers as AP All-Americans. McCoughtry, Durr, Schimmel and Hines-Allen rank No. 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, on the career scoring list, while Evans ranks ninth all-time. n Directed McCoughtry to become the first pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft; she was the program’s first three-time State Farm WBCA All-American; she accumulated 2007 BIG EAST Player of the Year and 2009 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors during her tenure along with 2009 Raleigh Regional Most Outstanding Player accolades. n Built an exciting brand of basketball that has seen Louisville rank in the top-five nationally in attendance each of the last 10 seasons; the Cardi- nals have averaged more than 9,330 per game dur- ing that span. Does not include attendance figures from 2020-21 season that featured 15% capacity due to the pandemic. n Louisville boasts a 196-28 home record (87.5 winning percentage) with Walz at the helm. Since opening the KFC Yum! Center in 2010, the Cardinals boast a 165-18 (.899) record at home. The Cardinals set the record for home wins in 2013-14 (18-2), 2016-17 (18-2), and 2017-18 (18-1). MARYLAND n Helped build Maryland into a national power during his tenure, with the Terrapins winning the 2006 national title; Maryland made four-consecu- tive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, advanc- ing to at least the second round each time. MINNESOTA n UM went 22-8 in lone season with the pro- gram, culminating with a trip to the NCAA Tourna- ment second round; the program went just 8-20 the season prior. NEBRASKA n Played a major role in Nebraska earning a then-school record three-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament (1998-00); the Huskers totaled a pair of 20-plus win seasons. n Coached Nicole Kubik, the Los Angeles Sparks’ No. 1 pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft. WESTERN KENTUCKY n Helped the team earn an at-large bid to the 1997 NCAA Tournament. n Assisted Western Kentucky to a 22-9 record to earn a share of the Sun Belt regular- season title. The Walz Family: (Top Row) Jacob, Lauren, Jeff and Kaeley. (Bottom Row) Lucy and Lola. gocards.com n University of Louisville 37 BASKETBALL Coaching StaffNext >