Slices of Tuna: Kenny Klein was the best of us
Reflections on a college sports giant
Sad to begin today’s column with some tragic news in the college athletics community.
1. RIP, Kenny Klein
There’s very little I can say about Kenny Klein that isn’t already out there. But that’s kind of the point, isn’t it?
The man was universally loved, both personally and professionally.
The longtime Louisville and St. John’s PR pro died this week at the age of 66.
Klein was, simply put, the best SID in the game. And had been for decades.
I was around Louisville a decent amount when covering the ACC for ESPN, and again in my early days at The Athletic thanks to the Lamar Jackson phenomenon, and the guy always made me feel at home. He retired in 2022, then came out of retirement during the 2024-25 campaign to help Rick Pitino at St. John’s.
Rick trusted Kenny with his life. He adored the man. And let me tell you, having dealt with a lot of high-maintenance coaches and having worked with high-maintenance media colleagues, it takes a special soul to somehow please both sides. But that was Kenny.
I got a kick out of watching the Yankees’ only playoff win against the Blue Jays last fall. Pitino, a huge Yankees fan, was always noticeable on TV during big games, usually sitting behind the home dugout while wearing a pinstriped jersey.
But when the final out was recorded and the Bronx crowd roared, guess who the FS1 cameras happened to catch going crazy?
Kenny Klein, the normally mild-mannered guy who somehow managed to fit right in with the lunatics in the Stadium, celebrating a victory.
I texted him a photo.
“Ha! Coach Pitino taking good care of me 😃,” he immediately wrote back.
Just like Kenny took care of all of us.
RIP, my friend.
2. Carsello’s return a boost for NU O-line
In an offseason defined by local judges and eligibility rulings, don’t overlook the injunction granted this week in a Cook County court.
