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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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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 17: Kelvin Harmon #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack tries to break a tackle after a reception against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Wolfpack won 52-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 17: Kelvin Harmon #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack tries to break a tackle after a reception against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Wolfpack won 52-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Defensive Coordinator

The old – Brian  VanGorder

It has been no secret over the years that Bobby was a difficult coach to work with. This was magnified with his recent sub-par hiring of defensive coordinators, and the head-scratching overcompensation that came with them.

VanGorder was no exception to this downward trend. Although on paper his long resume is packed with college and pro experience, VanGorder had not sniffed success in quite some time – with his last role being a glorified video coordinator for Oklahoma State’s defense prior to becoming Louisville’s DC.

The new – Bryan Brown

Unlike VanGorder, Louisville’s new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown is trending in the complete opposite direction.

Brown brings a combination of youthfulness, resonating with current players (something Louisville needed desperately) and experience playing at an SEC level (DB at Ole Miss 03’-06’). But the main reason Louisville should get excited with Brown leading the defense?

RESULTS.

Although his coaching resume is a fraction of VanGorder’s, FBS football has turned into a ‘what have you done for me lately’ league. A cornerback coach during his time at App State and as defensive coordinator last season, Brown has produced stellar results as both.

Fun Facts:

– Since 2015, App States Defense has the second most Interceptions in FBS with a combined 70.

– Since 2015, App State has finished in the top 15 in Interceptions

– Last season, App State finished SIXTH NATIONALLY IN TOTAL DEFENSE: landing top three for passing defense and top six for scoring defense.

That’s what I call being on the up and up. Brown gets his players to buy into his high-octane system, gives them ample opportunities to produce turnovers, and lets them FLAT OUT PLAY. The first interview I heard from Brown made me want to run through a wall – The guy just gets it.

https://twitter.com/UofLFootball/status/1097992353338531842

The Takeaway

In general, Petrino’s staff was a mixed bag – much like the island of forgotten toys from that weird Christmas claymation movie I was forced to watch growing up. You know the one.

Really young coaches with little to no D1 experience. Coaches who were not employed on a coaching staff at the time – there was multiple. And a coach on the verge of retirement before Petrino came calling. You add the weird veil of secrecy the media, fans, and even players experienced – and you have a recipe for disaster.

My main goal of this post was to shed some light on two main things:

Did you REALLY know how patched together and inexperienced last season’s staff was?

Do you REALLY know how good this new staff can be?

This staff is younger, hungrier, and overall more talented. I understand fans will have to mitigate expectations and give Satterfield some breathing room to get things truly turned around.

But if Louisville’s next chapter in football is similar to what Appalachian State experienced with him – I think we’re in for a lot of winning and having fun doing it.

If Louisville football targets graduate transfers, who might they be?. dark. Next

However, we must be patient – something every Louisville fan hates to hear.

Cheers.

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