TicketsCINCINNATI – Cincinnati head football coach Scott Satterfield announced on Thursday the promotions of offensive line coach Nic Cardwell and quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas to co-offensive coordinators, as well as Vijay Stingley to wide receivers coach.
Stingley moves to an on-field coaching role after serving as a quality control coach and inside receivers coach the last three seasons.
This fall, the trio was instrumental in the Bearcats’ offense leading the Big 12 and ranking ninth nationally in yards per play (6.90).
CARDWELL
A Broyles Award nominee for the nation’s top assistant coach, Cardwell mentored his third All-American in as many years at Cincinnati with Evan Tengesdahl in 2025. He previously did the same with Queen City native Luke Kandra from 2023-24, who transferred home from Louisville to follow Satterfield and Cardwell.
This past year, the Bearcats were second nationally to only run-heavy Army West Point in sacks allowed (eight) and third in TFLs allowed (43.0). All three eligible offensive line starters (Tengesdahl, Joe Cotton and Taran Tyo) also made a joint announcement in December that they were returning for 2026. Cotton and Tyo joined Tengesdahl as All-Big 12 honorees, as well.
Cardwell has worked for Satterfield in every season but one since 2017. He also played at Appalachian State as a tight end during the Mountaineers’ run of three-straight FCS national championships.
"Our offensive line has set the tone for our team during my time here at Cincinnati,” Satterfield said. “From Nic's work the first two years to last year's group being among the nation's best by multiple metrics, he is very deserving of this expanded role."
THOMAS
Thomas has been instrumental in UC’s quarterback improvement each year at UC. A year after Brendan Sorsby threw for 18 touchdowns with four rushing scores, he accounted for 36 in 2025, one off the school record.
In Thomas’ first season at Louisville, Malik Cunningham became the second quarterback in program history to rush for 1,000 yards. The following season, he became the sixth FBS player to pass for 9,000 and rush for 3,000 over a career, totaling 116 touchdowns.
Thomas was a starter at Colorado State, NC State and Louisiana-Monroe before continuing his playing career in the arena ranks with the Los Angeles KISS.
“As two former quarterbacks, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Pete day in and day out for a long time now,” Satterfield said. “His player development skills and field vision have not gone unnoticed. I'm excited to watch he and Coach Cardwell build off each other."
STINGLEY
Stingley is entering his fourth season with the Bearcats after having previously been promoted to inside receivers coach for 2025.
Of the 2024 wide receivers room, only three catches (Barry Jackson) returned in 2025, and the Bearcats rallied to have the Big 12's fifth-best passing offense (up three spots from the previous season). Cyrus Allen was third nationally with 13 touchdown catches, tying the school record.
Stingley has worked under Satterfield since 2020. He graduated from Sam Houston in 2017.
"Vijay has done an outstanding job within our program,” Satterfield said. “It has been awesome to watch him grow as a rising star in this industry the last several years. He was instrumental in our improvements at receiver last fall, and I'm looking forward to watching him take the reins this year."