Scott Satterfield has been the head coach of Louisville football for just two days but already has made two staff hires according to reports out of Winston-Salem.
Aghhhhh, you feel that? That is what we call a breath of fresh air and it belongs to Scott Satterfield, the new Louisville football head coach – who has been on the job for just two days.
After acing his introductory press conference, winning the radio car wash locally, and then addressing the ruckus crowd of 18,000 plus in the KFC Yum! Center during a timeout at the Louisville basketball win over Central Arkansas, it’s easy to say that Scott Satterfield has said and done all the right things. But now, with Louisville football needing to get to work on the recruiting trail, it’s time for Satterfield to really start to win big.
The number one priority, building a winning staff. Things seem to be headed in the right direction as reports from Ethan Joyce of the Winston-Salem Journal (North Carolina), indicate that Satterfield has made his first two Cardinal hires.
Joyce wrote:
"Assistant coaches Bryan Brown and Frank Ponce of Appalachian State are expected to join the Louisville football coaching staff, multiple people with knowledge of the move told the Journal on Wednesday. The two will become the initial hires made by Scott Satterfield, the six-year Mountaineers coach who was introduced Tuesday as the next head coach of the Cardinals program.It’s unclear what roles they will hold with the Cardinals."
Bryan Brown, who has been the defensive coordinator in Boone for Appalachian State this year is a huge get for Satterfield, as many believed that he could be in line to take over as the next head coach. After being promoted to the DC position back in January, after Nate Woody (another name rumored to be on this Louisville staff) left for the same role at Georgia Tech.
Brown had one of the most dynamic defenses throughout the nation, finishing sixth in total defense, third in passing defense, and 27th in total run defense. Before being promoted to defensive coordinator, Brown served as the App State corner backs coach to a unit nicknamed “the Legion of Boone” for six years, producing one of the best groups throughout the country.
According to the App State website, the defense ranked second nationally with 56 interceptions since 2015.
The other coach mentioned as being hired by Scott Satterfield is App State offensive coordinator, Frank Ponce.
Satterfield has made a living of going down into Mississippi, Georgia, and most importantly, Florida, to get recruits to play for App State. A big reason for them winning battles down there is Frank Ponce.
Starting his career as a high school coach, Ponce spent over 20+ years coaching some of the biggest names in high school football in the heart of Miami. He was hired by Satterfield at FIU, where he served as the WR coach, working to develop one of the best receivers currently in the NFL, TY Hilton.
Since then, Ponce has moved on to App State to work with Scott Satterfield, where he served as the Co-Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach. This season he played a huge role in the development of sophomore Zac Thomas, a true sophomore making his debut as the team’s starter. Thomas finished the season 1,862 passing yards, 18 touchdowns to just four interceptions, while completing 63% of his passes.
The Louisville football program has to yet to confirm the news first reported by Ethan Joyce, and there is no word just yet on whether or not Ponce and Brown will stay in the same roles they were in while at App State.
It is likely that we will hear some type of news today on other staff hires by Satterfield, as a group of 4 to 5 coaches will be crucial as the team gets out and hits the recruiting trail hard leading up to the December 19th early signing day period.