Louisville football: Culture, likeness, and the Lamar Jackson effect

Louisville football head coach Scott Satterfield is excited about 2020.

From the day that Scott Satterfield took over as the head coach of the Louisville football program he preached one thing over everything else; culture. Winning the right way was what made him so successful at Appalachian State and clearly it worked in the first season as the Cards won eight games after being picked to finish last in the ACC.

The biggest part of the ongoing battle to get the program back to competing at the highest level nationally is recruiting and as Satterfield continues to build long-term, “it all starts in recruiting” or so he told 247 Sports Steve Wiltfong on their interview series “Social Distance.” 

His Cardinals capped off a 38-28 Music City Bowl victory over Mississippi State, improving from an abysmal 2-10 record the year before, to an 8-5 record in his first season at the helm.

What has transpired in the off-season has the Louisville fanbase optimistic to say the least.

“We’ve attracted some great players to come here,” Satterfield said.

Louisville football’s culture has them ready for a break through

Louisville’s incoming class this year is steadfastly impressive across the board. Led by four-star outside linebacker Kameron Wilson, defensive end Yaya Diaby, offensive tackle Trevor Reid, and an embarrassment of talent on both sides of the ball, the 2020 class certainly has the ball rolling.

Satterfield told Wiltfong:

“Last year’s signing class, what we have going on this year in the 2021 class…some great kids jumping on board. Once we continue to do that and that culture keeps getting stronger, we’re going to be able to compete for national championships.”

The coaching staff appears to have a blueprint for how effective recruiting and the new culture can accumulate into greatness. “Clemson is at such a high level right now, but they’re a good gauge for us to look at right now,” Satterfield said.

Also read: Win totals aren’t the only barometer for expectations in 2020

Another variable in Louisville’s pebbled path to becoming a college football powerhouse is the impending NCAA lift on player compensation from name, image or likeness. The new application and legislature is set to commence in the 2021-22 academic year.

If applied with the Midas touch that Satterfield seems to possess, this could be a valuable tool in his ever-expanding recruiting bag of tricks.

“I’m all for these guys being able to capitalize on their name,” he said.

Now, this is something you’ll hear every college coach say, seemingly on repeat, as we countdown the months until the new allowances come into pass. But does Louisville have an Ace in the hole?

Lamar Jackson is revered as one of, if not the greatest player in Louisville’s history. The former Cardinal legend and reigning NFL MVP may have something to offer Satterfield and staff on the recruiting trail simply by being great, even as a former player.

Satterfield’s 2020 recruiting class boasts supreme speed and athleticism in players like Lovie Jenkins, Josh Minkins Jr., Christian Fitzpatrick, and Jordan Watkins.

Speed and athleticism are two characteristics Jackson will always be remembered by. I asked Watkins’ stepdad, Austin Baker, if high school recruits make the connection when being recruited by the Cards.

“His name does ring heavy on the recruiting trail. Everybody associates Louisville with Lamar Jackson and him winning the Heisman trophy there,” Baker said.

Interesting. So with that being said, let’s walk a mile in a high school recruit’s cleats for a moment.

You’re getting a visit from Scott Satterfield. He talks about The family atmosphere, about the culture, etc. Then he turns to your parents and says a piece about the history of Louisville football, mentions Lamar Jackson, and talks about a similar footprint that you could leave on the program.

At what point do you draw a straight line from Lamar’s success to your own potential at the college level? At what point do you factor in the image and likeness legislation? I imagine the thought process would move along in warp speed until you’re seeing dollar signs.

Can you imagine if Jackson attended college at Louisville in the midst of his obscene success with the player compensation rules intact? My goodness.

“There’s no telling how much money he could’ve made,” Satterfield said about Jackson’s would-be compensation.

For a college coach, it’s all relative on the recruiting trail.

“(The players) deserve it. They created this great brand for themselves,” he said.

Solid recruiting, a family-style culture, and capitalizing on player compensation could be the concoction that leapfrogs Louisville into the elite category of FBS football.

Satterfield explains the slow-cook process: “We’re on our way. It’s going to take some time, but we’re having a great time doing it.”