Kenny Payne knows there will be nothing friendly during game against his friend John Calipari

Kenny Payne knows how much John Calipari will want to beat Louisville. (Jeff Houchin/Nolan Media Photo)

Kenny Payne knows his friendship with Kentucky coach John Calipari won’t stop the UK coach from wanting to beat Louisville when the rivals play Dec. 31 in Rupp Arena.

Payne recently talked with WLKY sports director Fred Cowgill of Louisville about the rivalry.

The new Louisville coach and former UK assistant under Calipari for 10 years said while the coaches are friends, the game will not be friendly.

“I think that we’ll respect each other during the game and love each other after the game,” said Payne. “But friendly? It’s just so much… so many dynamics.”

Payne was on Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s staff in Lexington for ten seasons and admits it will be weird to coach against his former boss and friend.

“Not only did I just sit beside him, but I also studied him. I know how competitive he is. I know the fight that he brings to the table,” Payne said.  “I know his passion for the game, his passion for people in wanting to help people.”

“I know how he feels about me. I know he loves me. I know his family loves me. But I also know if he gets a chance to hit me in the head, he’s going to hit me in the head.”

“I respect and I love the guy. We are both competitors. At the end of the day it is one game a year. I have to try and win this game and he has to try and win this game.”

Payne also told Cowgill he would eventually like to get Indiana on the schedule. Indiana coach Mike Woodson was an assistant with the New York Knicks with Payne.

“Maybe down the road. I know Mike Woodson would love to play but he would love to play to hit me in the head,” Payne said.

Payne said he’s learned from both Calipari and Woodson.

“Put the kids first. Forget yourself as an adult. Think about what is best for these kids and then let’s work that way,” he said.