Cincinnati Football to Hire Louisville’s Scott Satterfield

The Bearcats and their new coach reportedly agreed to a deal on Sunday night.

Cincinnati is hiring Louisville coach Scott Satterfield to be the program’s newest coach, the school announced Monday. The news was first reported by Keith Jenkins of Enquirer Sports and later confirmed by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Satterfield agreed to a six-year deal Sunday night. To make matters more interesting, Cincinnati is scheduled to face Louisville in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Dec. 17. 

“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 in a statement. “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!”

Satterfield spent the past four years with the Cardinals, compiling a 25–24 record. He led Louisville to a 7–5 record in 2022. He previously served as head coach at Appalachian State from 2013 to ’18, leading the Mountaineers to three consecutive bowl appearances following their move from FCS to FBS.

The Bearcats lost coach Luke Fickell to Wisconsin in November after finishing the year 9–3. Satterfield will have big shoes to fill after Fickell’s departure. In Fickell’s six years at Cincinnati, he compiled a 57–18 record and led the Bearcats to a College Football Playoff appearance last season—the first such berth for a Group of 5 team.