Chris Mack? Shaka Smart? Who will be Louisville's next basketball coach?

One of the most challenging seasons in Louisville basketball history is over, and the school now turns its attention to finding a permanent head coach to lead the program out of some tough times.

Louisville still doesn't know what to expect from a possible NCAA infractions process related to the FBI investigation into college basketball recruiting, which puts the university in an awkward position as it's on probation through 2021. Conclusions in the wide-ranging case may be years off — the FBI asked the NCAA not to conduct interviews in the case until after the three trials related to it are over, and the last one is set to begin in April 2019.

More:Padgett leaving Louisville after one season as interim basketball coach

Nevertheless, Louisville needs a permanent coach, and the school can offer a lucrative contract, top-flight facilities and tradition unmatched by the vast majority of other programs. And for those reasons, expect interest in the job to be high. The potential long-term reward far outweighs the short-term risk.

Rumors and innuendo tend to run amok during coaching searches, but here is a look at some potential candidates:

Top option: Chris Mack, Xavier

Why it might happen: Mack, 48, has long been considered the frontrunner to get the gig. The Cincinnati-area native has many connections to Louisville, the primary one being his wife, Christi, who grew up here and was a multi-sport star at Holy Cross High. The Macks still have family in the area.

Mack, a former Xavier and Wake Forest assistant, took over the head coaching job at XU in 2009 when Sean Miller left for Arizona. In nine seasons at the helm, Mack's teams are 215-97, with two Atlantic 10 regular-season titles and a Big East regular-season championship this year. His teams also have reached three Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight, and Xavier was a No. 1 seed this year. XU has won 23 or more games in seven of his nine seasons there.

In recruiting, Mack and his staff have signed two top-15 classes in the past four years and six top-30 classes since 2010.  

Read this:V.J. King: 'We'll see' about future when Louisville names head coach

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That track record, plus Mack's upbeat personality, should be attractive to Louisville, which needs a morale boost after a tumultuous three years. Louisville will likely be able to significantly increase his compensation, listed three years ago as $1.668 million on Xavier's 2015 tax reports.

Why it might not: It's hard to leave a good thing for uncertainty, and Xavier just had one of its best seasons yet under Mack. He may be in line for an upgraded contract, which currently runs through the 2022-23 season, and he often talks about his love for his hometown.

A potential issue Louisville will want to address: One of Mack's former players, Edmond Sumner, and his dad allegedly obtained "at least $7,000" in advances from the ASM Sports agency while Sumner was still in school, according to a Yahoo Sports report. Mack quickly released a statement saying his staff "has never created a path for (agent Andy Miller) to foster a relationship with any of our student-athletes while enrolled at Xavier." 

POWER FIVE CONFERENCE POSSIBILITIES

Shaka Smart, Texas

Why it might happen: Smart, 40, is a charismatic and media-savvy young coach who for years was a hot commodity whenever Power Five jobs came open.

Best known for guiding upstart Virginia Commonwealth to the 2011 Final Four, Smart's teams play intense, frenetic defense and have landed in the top 40 of Ken Pomeroy's defensive efficiency rankings in each of the past seven seasons. He is also a respected recruiter, landing back-to-back top-10 classes in his first two years there. 

Why it might not: Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel wrote that Smart-to-Louisville was "not happening." Smart has a hefty contract at Texas, due roughly $18 million over six years, and he also may feel the pull of trying to win big before leaving. While the seat isn't hot in Austin, it's certainly warmer than anyone expected in Year 3 of the Smart era. 

That's also why Louisville may not be as interested, either. Smart's record at Texas — 50-50 overall and 23-31 in the Big 12 — doesn't pair with how well he and his staff have recruited. Potential FBI issues with former center Prince Ibeh and current guard Eric Davis, plus the controversial stories last summer about freshman center Mohamed Bamba's recruitment, might also make Louisville blink.

LISTEN:CardsHQ Podcast on the Louisville basketball coaching search

Steve Alford, UCLA

Why it might happen: The Indiana legend was repeatedly connected to IU's opening last spring, and he may be interested in another blue-chip program right across the river from his home state. Alford's track record — 11 NCAA Tournament appearances at four different schools — shows his experience at a high level.

Why it might not: Hiring Alford would be a tough PR sell for Louisville after pursuing other options.

Matt Painter, Purdue

Why it might happen: Painter is a proven commodity with a good reputation, as ESPN's Jeff Goodman noted on "The Drive" on 93.9 The Ville in February. 

Why it might not happen: There is some doubt over whether Painter would even be interested in the job with a stable situation in West Lafayette.

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Buzz Williams, Virginia Tech

Why it might happen: The former Marquette coach always seems to have his name attached to jobs. Williams made two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight at Marquette, but his work at Virginia Tech shows he can lead a program back from a tough spot. Tech made back-to-back NCAA Tournaments after two rebuilding years.

Why it might not: Williams is a Texas guy and may be better suited for a return to his home state down the line. He also has Virginia Tech in position for a really good 2018-19 season, and it would be odd to see him leave a job he took a huge pay cut for before fully reaping the rewards of his work.

More:Vince Tyra says he's interested in becoming Louisville's athletic director

WILD CARDS

Ed Cooley, Providence

Why it might happen: Cooley is energetic and fiery, with five consecutive 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournaments under his belt. His Friars have finished in the top four of the competitive Big East. The 48-year-old coach is considered a rising star in the profession, and ESPN's Goodman also mentioned his name as a possibility in late February.

Why it might not: Cooley is a Providence native who has a great deal coaching his hometown college. PC compensates well, and Friars men's hoops is the biggest deal in town. 

Scott Davenport

Why it might happen: The former assistant for Denny Crum and Rick Pitino is a familiar face with a personality that would help Louisville through some cloudy times. He is a very good Xs and Os coach, too. His Bellarmine teams regularly impress top-flight Division I coaches with their execution, preparation and cohesion.

Why it won't happen: Davenport has a lifetime contract at Bellarmine and is happy there. Louisville seems to be looking for a long-term coach of its own.