I won’t bury the lede.
Scott Satterfield remains the University of Louisville football coach.
I am one of the few more moderate of the Cardinal faithful.
I’m glad, grateful even he’s still the Cards’ coach.
Unlike most, faithful at the various fan websites, who, having moments of angst-riven deja vu, have unleashed serious invective in his direction.
If you are reading this, you know what I mean. And, perhaps, are among the many who have weighed in.
(I do not begrudge Satt the dalliance, wondering how many of us have jumped jobs to a competitor for better pay and health care, after expressing loyalty and/or not fully apprising their boss of their intentions?)
Of course, I would have loved for Satterfield to have been more transparent and forthcoming with his thoughts in advance of his meeting with the Gamecock AD.
(And why did Ray Tanner even want the meeting? Reliable reports are that Shane Beamer has been the choice for over a week now.)
But, it’s simply how it works, for some odd reason, in the billion dollar biz we call Big Time College Football. Why did he feel the need to pledge his troth to Louisville, instead of being up front?
I don’t know. But, again, that’s the norm.
Assuming Satt has his game week presser — and shame on him and the school if he doesn’t — he’ll have no end of opportunities to explain himself, walk it back as they say in the world of PR, display heartfelt contrition for how he handled the situation.
As for the fans who want him out of Dodge by sundown, take a deep breath.
What the vast majority of Cardinal football fans fail to accept is that Louisville is not a destination job. In hoops, yes. On the gridiron, no.
There have been moments, when U of L was on the cusp of rising to the level of a perennial Top 25 program. The next Ohio State or Alabama? Hear me now and believe me later, That Is Never Ever Going To Happen.
The next Wisconsin? Iowa State? That’s doable.
If Satt or the the next guy finally realizes it can be done here. Power 5 league that’s not that tough really. Top 25 facilities. A fan base that would adore year in and year out 7-8-9 W campaigns.
The Schnell didn’t see the future, even though a new stadium was on the way. John L. Smith didn’t understand, and he was off to Sparty. Charlie Strong couldn’t say no to the allure of Burnt Orange. Bobby Petrino . . . well, he’s just a scumbag. Begone.
So, there ya go.
To repeat, welcome back, Scott Satterfield, it’s like you never left. Well, OK, you really didn’t.
I’m a lifelong Cardinal fan who is OK with that.
— c d kaplan
Agree CDK. We are or can be a bit like the other “city” schools – e.g. Pitt, Syracuse, BC, Houston etc. Generally competitive – occasionally great. It is the opportunity to grab the brass ring that we are and want to be positioned for. Thankfully (I’m looking at you Tom Jurich) we have first class facilities and are in a league where that can happen. The key variables are keeping the support of fans, donors and the school’s administration. I think we can do it. I’m all in.
Card Nation needs to pump the brakes and back up the bus. This has become a huge deal for the fan base over absolutely nothing. First, we agree that UL is not, has not and never will be a destination coaching job for football. Ain’t happening. We win bowl games. We produce All-Americans and a Heisman winner and that still can’t and won’t produce a football tradition rich with the kind of excellence that produces top 5 teams year in and year out. I’ve tried to think of a school that is BOTH a football and basketball (which we are) coaching destination and I can’t come up with one. As to Satterfield, according to what he told the CJ, he kept Tyra in the loop from the start. He told Vince when they reached out the first time. He told Vince when they came back a second time and and he told Vince he would listen to what they had to say. Doesn’t sound to me like he “chased” anything. I’ve read post that say he lied about all this. Sound to me like he’s been pretty transparent. One writer said he went to Bowling Green for a meeting. That wasn’t true according to Satterfield. He wasn’t looking for leverage. He just told Vince he would listen. This seems to me to be a media induced shit storm that’s just riled up a lot fans and little else. I’m sure even a guy like Calipari gets calls from NBA teams. You don’t think he hasn’t asked, “Well, what ya got in mind?” These guys want to know what they’re worth. The only way to find out is to ask.
I guess what bother me is Coach Satterfield doing this NOW? In a 3 win season?? Worse, to pursue contract amendments for more $$$, while half the department is laid off or pay cut?
Totally tone deaf.
I guess I’m missing something. What contract amendments was he pursuing? I believe he look a pay cut along with everyone else. I agree the optics of this are not good or at least what’s being painted by the media. If anything, he should have known that ANY conversation he might have with an AD outside UL, however inconsequential, would be blown out of proportion by the media and the fan base.
What contract amendments?
We have experienced a coach that no other school wanted.
If he kept the AD advised, there is nothing wrong with him meeting with another program.
His explanation to the media was pitfall.
This is only Satterfield’s second year and Bobby did not leave him much.
Next year i want to see an improvement.
At this time Satterfield isn the only one who can do it.