IU Indy Athletics

Former University of Louisville standout David Padgett was hired as an assistant coach on Todd Howard's staff in June 2011. Before coming to IUPUI, Padgett was a program assistant at the University of Louisville under legendary Head Coach Rick Pitino.

In Padgett’s lone season as assistant strength coach at Louisville, the Cardinals went 25-10 and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Senior guard Preston Knowles was selected Second Team All-BIG EAST and starting center Terrence Jennings emerged among the top big men in the country and ultimately declared for an early entry into the NBA Draft.

“We are extremely excited about adding David to our basketball staff,” Howard said. “He will bring a wealth of success to our program. Having been recruited at the highest level as a McDonald’s All-American and being part of Elite 8 and Final Four teams, I know he is ready to bring his experiences to our student-athletes.

“He comes from a great pedigree not only as a player, but he comes from a family of top notch coaches. His experience in the Big 12, BIG EAST and professionally can give our current Jags a great perspective.”

Padgett played professionally for U.B. LaPalma in the Canary Islands for two years after graduating from Louisville. He had previously made the final preseason cut of the Miami Heat before beginning his playing career in Spain.

A three-year starter and captain at center for the Cardinals (2005-08), Padgett was a unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST selection as a senior and also earned USBWA All-District IV honors. He averaged a team-leading 11.2 points and grabbed 4.8 rebounds his senior year, helping the Cards reach the NCAA Elite Eight.

Padgett finished his career ranked second in career field goal percentage at U of L, hitting 61.3 percent of his shots. His 66.7 field goal percentage as a senior was the second-highest in school history. He set a BIG EAST Conference field goal percentage record for league games as a senior, hitting 68.3 percent of his shots in the 18 games, later earning Second Team All-Conference honors. Padgett, a former McDonald’s All-American from Reno, Nev., began his collegiate career at Kansas before transferring to Louisville for his final three seasons. He was the 2003 Nevada Player of the Year and the top rated center in that year’s recruiting class. He later was a member of the 2004 USA Basketball Junior World Championship Qualifying Team that claimed a gold medal.

Padgett’s basketball bloodlines run deep as his father played at the University of Nevada and his uncle played at New Mexico. His grandfather Jim played for Oregon State and his sister played for the University of San Diego.

Padgett and his wife, Megan, welcomed their first child Nolan in August 2013. The Padgett family resides on the city's Northside.