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Louisville football: Comparing the tale of two completely different staffs

By Alex Stengel

ANN ARBOR, MI - AUGUST 30: Appalachin State head coach Scott Satterfield watches the pregame warms up prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - AUGUST 30: Appalachin State head coach Scott Satterfield watches the pregame warms up prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Raekwon Davis #99 of the Alabama Crimson Tide leads a defensive stop against Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter of the game at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – SEPTEMBER 01: Raekwon Davis #99 of the Alabama Crimson Tide leads a defensive stop against Jawon Pass #4 of the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter of the game at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

The Old – Mike Summers

Mike Summers has been coaching offensive lineman before most of you reading this were born. No, seriously – he started as an offensive line grad assistant at UK in 1980. Before I get too into this, I want to state that Coach Summers did a lot of good for Louisville – being a key assistant coach for UofL during Petrino’s first, and very successful stint.

Coach Summers has been on staff at every college football program in the country at one point in time or another…or maybe it just feels like he has. Regardless, it’s a long resume – really long.

The issue with Summers was that prior to his most recent stint on the Louisville staff, the longtime coach was on his way out as the offensive line coach at Florida – most likely retiring. Petrino, needing positions filled, knew that Summers was on the verge of retirement – and called him anyway. He was a familiar face at a position of need for his staff. Not the worst retread hire – but 63-year-old summers might not have connected with the players in the way a younger, energetic coach needs to in today’s college climate.

The New – Dwayne Ledford (Offensive coordinator)

Dwayne Ledford was a statement hire for Satterfield – pulling the top lumberjack/offensive line combo coaches in the nation from another ACC school. Even if I fictionalized the lumberjack part, Ledford is, in fact, one of the top offensive line coaches in today’s college game.

To put it simply – Ledford is a lineman whisperer.

This hire is perfect timing, as Louisville’s offensive line is currently seen as needing the most improvement. The offensive line play during Petrino’s second stint could be described as a poorly-organized nightmare at times. NC State was at one time experiencing similar woes with their offensive line, then came Ledford.

In his three years at North Carolina State prior to joining Satterfield at Louisville – Ledford turned his linemen into juggernauts:

NC State’s sacks allowed rating during Ledford’s time:

  • 2016-20th
  • 2017-5th
  • 2018-3rd

Prior to Ledford arriving, the sack total allowed for NC State in 2015 was 39. What were the sack totals for the three years with Ledford at the helm took over you ask? Great question.

  • 2015 – 39 sacks (pre-Ledford)
  • 2016 – 17 sacks
  • 2017 – 13 sacks,
  • 2018 – 9 sacks

First off, NINE SACKS ALL SEASON!? I could write stats like that all day. Ledford produced numerous All-ACC and All-American lineman in his three seasons at NC State. Most recently, Ledford produced consensus All-American and Rimington Award winner Garrett Bradbury – given to the nation’s top center. Louisville fans, do you know what a really good offensive line means besides fewer sacks?

A REALLY GOOD RUN GAME.

Do you know what a really good run game does besides score Touchdowns?

IT CREATES A REALLY GOOD PASSING GAME.

Give me fewer sacks and more rushing production and you have yourself a happy fan. Speaking of passing, that brings me to my next position.

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