Extend Scott Satterfield
“Scott Satterfield faces a major rebuild.”
“Scott Satterfield needs time and patience from fans when it comes to rebuilding the Cardinal program.”
“It’s year zero for Scott Satterfield.”
“Louisville projected to win three games and finish last in ACC”
Those were some of the headlines and things written about new football coach Scott Satterfield last offseason after he took over for Bobby Petrino following a 2-10 season. In 2018, Louisville was one of the worst power five programs across the country and quickly became a laughing stock following a massive fall from earth considering their successes just years before.
The first priority for Satterfield wasn’t football related. Instead, it was creating and implementing a culture that would remove all the toxicity that surrounded the program following years of mounting issues between the players and coaches.
Shockingly, Satterfield was met by a group of players who wanted nothing more than to be loved by their coach and play football. It made for a great match and it quickly helped the program get months (and maybe years ahead of schedule).
In year one all Satterfield did was beat the odds. The accomplishments are endless.
He took a roster that many considered “bare” and turned it into one of the most powerful rushing attacks and dominant big-play offenses across both the ACC and the nation. He took skill players who either didn’t see the field or weren’t used correctly and helped them break records. He took a quarterback who was broken and helped him see his potential. He took another quarterback who couldn’t (or wasn’t empowered) to throw the ball downfield and helped him become the nation’s top deep passer.
Should I continue?
He led Louisville to their first ranked win against a ranked ACC opponent for the first time since joining the conference. He helped Louisville win eight games. His team finished second in the ACC Atlantic Division after being picked last. And, oh yeah, he won the ACC Coach of the Year Award.
Sure there were issues throughout the season that kept Louisville from getting more, but considering the circumstances all the accomplishments lead me to believe it’s already time for Athletics Dictor, Vince Tyra, to extend Scott Satterfield.
I know there have been a ton of issues with other coaches and programs following contract extensions that may be a bit premature. But in this scenario when you are talking about building a program that can compete, everything you’d hope to see was there in year one plus a whole lot more.
It’s only a matter of time before high profile power five programs come calling for Satterfield, willing to fork endless amounts of cash and resources needed to rebuild their programs just like he did Louisville.
As of now, Satterfield is headed into the second year of his contract making a $3.25 base salary. That contract makes him the nation’s 41st highest paid head coach and the sixth highest-paid coach within the ACC. Satterfield received a pretty sizable raise when leaving App. State for Louisville and also picked up a nice $100,000 bonus following the win over Mississippi State but no extension was given at that time.
It doesn’t have to be today, tomorrow, or even next month. But in my opinion if you are Tyra and want to send a message to your staff, players, and the rest of the country that you are serious about getting back to being a contender in the ACC in football – giving Satterfield and an extension and more money to pay his staff must be done.