TicketsA new era began Monday in Cincinnati as John Cunningham announced Scott Satterfield as the 43rd head coach in Bearcats football history. Satterfield had a busy morning taking in Nippert Stadium, visiting with donors, and meeting the team. The excitement culminated in a 1 p.m. press conference. If you weren't able to tune in, here are seven key takeaways from Coach Satterfield's first appearance as a Bearcat:
The countdown to the 2023 season—Cincinnati's first as a member of the Big 12—starts now. The Bearcats will run onto Nippert Stadium turf in 271 days, but you can prepare!
- Coach Satterfield is excited to join the tradition, culture, and upward momentum of the Cincinnati Bearcats. "I'm excited about that. Come to Cincinnati with a program that is used to winning––that wins championships. I want to be a part of that. Twelve bowls in 16 years. That's tremendous. We want to continue that." He also took the time to gush about the sports culture of the city, our restaurants, and even the Bengals' big victory over the Chiefs. "That was a great game yesterday."
- He will not coach in the Fenway Bowl. It was the first thought many fans had after the announcement, and Satterfield acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation in the opening statement of his press conference. "I told both teams that I am removing myself from the bowl game," he said. "I won't be there. Not going to be in that situation." Satterfield said his focus would instead be on what was probably fans' second thought: Recruiting student-athletes and filling out his coaching staff.
- Recruiting locally will continue to be a priority. Satterfield recalled the Bearcats' success on the recruiting trail in Cincinnati and the state of Ohio over the past 20 years, and he believes he can continue the pattern. "We already have those relationships, so that's going to be a top priority for us," he said. Satterfield and his staff signed numerous regional recruits during his time at Louisville. His message to prospective student-athletes in the Queen City is simple: "There's no reason why a talented football player from Cincinnati should go anywhere else. They should be staying right here and coming to play for us."
- The style of play will be aggressive. Satterfield said his staff would bring a multiple offense to Cincinnati. "We have to find ways to get the ball in the hands of the playmakers and remain physical upfront," he said. "We have to be able to run the football and throw the football. We have done fast tempo before and spread people out. We have also gone three tight end sets." Satterfield's Louisville offenses frequently ranked among the nation's best in yards per play, including a #7 finish in 2021. But he said he intends to be aggressive defensively as well, noting his 2022 team's strong national rankings in turnovers gained (#3), sacks (#4) and tackles for loss (#12).
- He wants the players that have built Cincinnati's recent success to stay. In the transfer portal era, student-athletes can reevaluate their situation and transfer if they feel they need a fresh start. But Satterfield met with the team, and although he hasn't studied the roster yet, he wants to keep as much of the Bearcats' talented roster intact as he can. "We want these guys to stay here and help us continue to do what they've been doing … If there is a situation with a player thinking about transferring, I want them to come see me."
- Satterfield will embrace the new landscape of college athletics and NIL, echoing John Cunningham's support of Cincy Reigns in his opening statement. "The teams I have seen throughout the landscape that have embraced the NIL; they are able to get those top-tier talented players," Satterfield said. "If we want to continue to get those players, we are going to have to be able to embrace and invest in that." But he also feels confident the focus will remain on football and success on the field. "Once we get in the locker room, it's ball. We're going to ball. We're playing for each other."
- He's not afraid of having big shoes to fill because he faced a similar situation to start his head coaching career. "I have done that before. Coach [Jerry] Moore was the winningest head coach in Appalachian State history. It's a challenge, right? I mean, everybody expects you to come in and kind of pick up where they left off, but I am not Luke Fickell. I am going to be Scott Satterfield. I am going to do the things that I think we need to do to be successful."
The countdown to the 2023 season—Cincinnati's first as a member of the Big 12—starts now. The Bearcats will run onto Nippert Stadium turf in 271 days, but you can prepare!
- Contribute to Cincy Reigns, which will provide opportunities for all sports, including Coach Satterfield's inaugural class.
- Join the season ticket waiting list. Marquee matchups await as the Bearcats embark on a new era in the Big 12. You don't want to miss it.
- Donate to UCATS. We continue to fundraise for the Day One Ready campaign, supporting signature facilities, student-athlete wellness and championship readiness as the department transitions into its new home in the Big 12.