| Louisville Courier Journal
Scott Satterfield talks about the decision to stay in Louisville
Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield apologizes to fans after rumors of employment in South Carolina and promises commitment to the University of California program.
Dominique Yates, Louisville Courier Journal
At his weekly press conference on Monday, Scott Satterfield spoke about his interview with South Carolina last weekend.
As he told The Courier Journal on Saturday, he had what he described as a “conversation” about the open position of head coach in South Carolina. His reason for talking to Gamecocks and sports director Ray Tanner was due to the proximity with the roots of Satterfield’s hometown.
A native of North Carolina, Satterfield went to the Appalachian State to go to college and trained there as an assistant and head coach before leaving for Louisville in 2018.
“There was not much else. Where it is located was the biggest factor, ”said Satterfield.
Exclusive: Scott Satterfield told The Courier Journal that he is staying in Louisville
Rumors of the interview picked up on Friday night through Saturday morning, becoming a national story. Some Louisville fans believed that Satterfield was leaving for Gamecocks’ work.
Louisville football has a history of revolving doors in the position of head coach. Howard Schnellenberger is the only coach to remain in Louisville for more than five years since Frank Camp left in 1968.
Instead, Satterfield told The Courier Journal that he would stay.
Will he stay in Louisville for the rest of his career? It is impossible to know. When asked if he would accept other job offers in the Carolina region, due to his proximity to home, Satterfield did not say no. He said he was committed to making Louisville an important program, but if he spoke to another school, he would do it differently.
“I am not going to sit here and say I would not do that, but I think if anything opens up in the future, it will be treated very differently,” said Satterfield. “I think, well, last year there were several jobs”
Scott Satterfield is staying in Louisville, listen to it in your own words
In an exclusive interview with The Courier Journal, Cameron Teague talks to Dominique Yates about his conversation with Washington University coach Scott Satterfield and the job rumors.
Dominique Yates, Louisville Courier Journal
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What exactly does that mean?
The next time another job comes up, probably because Satterfield had several schools in contact with him or Agent Jimmy Sexton, he wants to be frank with people.
“If something in the future opens up, you better take it very seriously,” said Satterfield. “I don’t want to put our fans or other people on what happened in the past 48 hours. I am not interested in doing that. If there is something out there that is attractive, I think it must be very serious and something that you can be honest about. It was a learning process and, from now on, I don’t want to put anyone in this situation. ”
Satterfield apologized for messing with the fan base so much.
“It was never my intention to hurt anyone with this. I would think the same thing. ‘Why would he want to hear another opportunity?’ Well, it was all about the location, and after we talk, we have a great job, ”said Satterfield. “We have a passionate fan base. They have been great for my family since we got here. Thank you and I know it. ”
Most of the weekend’s reaction came from fans on social media. Many were upset that he would speak to another school without saying anything about it, especially after his comments saying he is committed to Louisville, after reports of an interview that first appeared on November 24.
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On Saturday, he told The Courier Journal that the statement has not changed, and he remains committed to Louisville.
But his comments after the team’s victory against Syracuse on November 20, about wide receiver Tutu Atwell remaining committed to the program and not giving up despite an injury, also drew attention on Monday.
Asked at the news conference how he balances players ‘commitment with coaches’ commitment, Satterfield said he sees the difference.
“Well, as players it is different from coaches. I think that sometimes we want to mix coaches with players, but as a player, you stay there for three to four years and that’s it, ”said Satterfield. “As players you really are, you have no family, it’s just you, but as coaches, I’m thinking in general terms, coaches have wives, children and a job – are we going to be there for 40 years? There are many different things involved in coaching. It is difficult for a player to get up and go to meetings, go to weight training, practice, go back and study and then go on a game day. There are many things that a player needs to do to follow different paths. You have to be fully involved in this.
“As coaches, it’s a little different for you to have a coaching career. Go back and see any coach’s biography. I’ve been in a school for a long time and I wish it were that way. I don’t like it. You want to be in a place where you thrive and win, but I think there is a difference between a player and a coach. “
While the various comments have generated fan frustration, the most important part of Satterfield’s work is at the Howard Schnellenberger Complex with his players.
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With Saturday’s game against Wake Forest, Satterfield must keep his locker room in order despite the news. The media has not yet spoken to the players about their weekly availability – which will come Tuesday and Wednesday – but Satterfield said he spoke to them and the conversation led to a good training session on Sunday.
“I shared my heart with them about how we love our guys and will do everything we can for them. We have great facilities and a lot of good things, but we want to do a lot more with our program and continue to develop it, ”said Satterfield. “This is what I shared with them, we are trying to do everything we can to move on. There are things we need and want, as we seem to be the best program in the country. The mission hasn’t changed and these guys were excited and had a great practice. They did some great things as they would normally do on a Saturday. ”
Many accessed Twitter on Monday night to support Satterfield, including Atwell, the Louisville All-American receiver.
“Coach Satt has always been here for us! No matter what the situation is. We trust him to the fullest @ CoachSattUofL I love you coach!” Atwell tweeted.
Quarterback Malik Cunningham, along with many others, joined as well.
“Coach Satt is a very honest guy. It seems that the media always has something to say when they don’t know anything!” Cunningham tweeted.
That will be the key to Satterfield’s advance. The Cardinals will receive Wake Forest, which leads the country in terms of revenue, with the hope of leaving all that behind.
And Satterfield said on Monday that the key to doing this is to continue to push the program forward.
“Work hard and keep doing the things we need to do to make this the best program in the country. That’s what we’re doing, ”said Satterfield. “Bringing this class (of recruitment) will help us and have 10 of them in January, they can practice in the spring. I tried to be open and honest with everyone I have contact with. The fans don’t stay close to me or my team on a daily basis in the building, but we try to be like that and we will try to treat people with respect and we will continue to do that ”.
Cameron Teague Robinson [email protected]; Twitter: @cj_teague;