Louisville coach Scott Satterfield leaving for Cincinnati

Scott Satterfield is jumping from Louisville to become head football coach at Cincinnati, the school announced Monday.

The move is a particularly ironic one, in that the Cardinals face the Bearcats in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 17. Cincinnati is looking to replace Luke Fickell, who left to take the Wisconsin job on Nov. 27.

“Scott Satterfield is a proven winner, a relentless competitor and a culture builder,” Cincinnati athletics director John Cunningham said. “He’s an innovative offensive mind and a leader who develops men on and off the field. He’s the perfect fit to grow this program and lead us into the Big 12 next season and beyond. I’m thrilled to welcome Scott, his wife, Beth, and their three children, Bryce, Isaac and Alli to Cincinnati.”

Satterfield is 25-24 in four seasons at Louisville, including 7-5 in 2022. He was the ACC Coach of the Year in 2019, but had back-to-back losing records before a slight turnaround this season.

Cincinnati is currently in the American Athletic Conference, but will move up to the Power 5 level as a member of the Big 12 beginning in 2023. The Bearcats have a 57-18 record the last six years under Fickell, reaching the College Football Playoff in 2021.

“I am honored to be the next head coach at the University of Cincinnati and am looking forward to building on the winning tradition this program has had over the last 20 years,” Satterfield said. “My family and I have admired this university and athletic department from afar for many years. I’m excited to take Cincinnati into the Big 12 this fall and ready to compete for championships.

“I’m most looking forward to meeting the current team and beginning to build relationships with these young men. We will hit the ground running today. Go Bearcats!”

The 49-year-old Satterfield, a North Carolina native, was head coach at Appalachian State from 1991-95. He went 51-24 with the Mountaineers, including three straight Sun Belt Conference championships or co-championships from 2016-18.

Satterfield’s departure for Cincinnati leaves two Power 5 coaching openings — Louisville and Stanford. Also open are the jobs at Tulsa, Western Michigan, UNLV and North Texas.

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