ACC coaches talk anonymously about conference foes.

[CardX]

Louisville

"It’s too early to throw up a red flag, but there are some alarming things you can see from the outside."

"They had a very interesting 2020. It seems like they’re losing more players and coaches than you’d expect. From a pure evaluation standpoint, they’ve lost a lot of their most talented guys and we haven’t seen or heard anything about them competing in recruiting in that state."

"The easy way to look at it is that they’re running the same offense and basically the same defense they had at App, but now they’re playing teams with equal or better talent, which almost never happened there. They’re not used to seeing a counter-punch, and it shows."

"The biggest issues here seem off the field, I think they haven’t really established who they are as a culture with those players. I think they tried to bring Appalachian State to Louisville, and that hasn’t worked out. Scott [Satterfield] talking to South Carolina didn’t help, either. When this program is good it’s because they bring in a lot of raw talent and let them play. He’s trying to create something different.”

Cards need a big year, needless to say. Even in losses they need to be competitive.

ACC Coaches

 

[PHCARD]

Opinions are like a******s saying applies here. These anon coaching speaks are very suspect coming from so called sports writers. Gggrrrrr

 

[CardX]

Opinions are like a******s saying applies here. These anon coaching speaks are very suspect coming from so called sports writers. Gggrrrrr

I hear you. Athlon does this every year before the season starts. There were some not so nice things said about other teams, too. It is what it is. Their perceptions do not make it a reality, but things aren't great, currently, with the program. We need a fairly big year.

 

[LeFors4Ever]

If they said nice things, we’d take it serious and love it. I think it’s pretty much what we all think. There’s questions CSS needs to answer with W’s

But, what is new is what the coaches are saying when it comes to off-field stuff and culture. Coaches talk, and if multiple ones are saying that it is a worry.

Bobby left a mess, CSS has a chance to deliver

 

[Pervis_Griffith]

If this is truly coming from coaches, there are going to be some surprised as$ed coaches this fall when the Cards run all over them.

 

[KozmasAgain]

Well one thing is for sure is if Satt doesn’t deliver and produce a winner we won’t have to worry about him leaving for South Carolina or anywhere else, because they won’t be offering.

 

[billoliver40]

In all fairness ( yeah, I know)....Satterfield was very successful with his system at Appy State, and his first year at UofL was actually remarkably successful considering the year he inherited.
Last year....half the country may as well not have played.
To be honest, I've not heard of off field distractions other than the coach go round which happens every year.

Just me looking, I think you guys have a really sound quarterback if he stays healthy, the zone block system allows you to get your speed guys out for quick hits...I just dont know who those might be.
Your starters on the O line are good size, although the depth charts I've seen would be concerning if injuries hit.
You guys all seem to like the 'backers and secondary...and i will leave that up to you. I still think the D line is undersized and i believe that is intentional....i question that philosophy but that's what coaches get paid for.
But the statement about Sattergields future is correct, a repeat of last years record and his agent may as well forget getting him interviews.

 

[2330859]

Valid observations Bill Oliver; Satterfield is a very talented head football coach, and his system at AP State will work anywhere he takes it, but that is not the problem facing UL. Scott needs to convince recruits that UL is a destination, and not a stepping stone; something that personally, I believe is haunting both him and UL right now in terms of attracting some of the more coveted kids.

My friend WildCard pointed out a very valid point; specifically about undersized defensive linemen in a 3-4 scheme. Coach Patterson at TCU is a most inventive defensive football coach, who enjoyed great success with the way he used tall athletic DEs and LBs interchangeably, that at times could looked to the opposing offense more like a wide tackle 6 scheme. He could disguise his blitz packages in ways that confounded their opponents. I for one would welcome that approach at UL, but its success depends on having the right personnel. That NG must be able to control the center of the LOS.

 

[LeFors4Ever]

In all fairness ( yeah, I know)....Satterfield was very successful with his system at Appy State, and his first year at UofL was actually remarkably successful considering the year he inherited.
Last year....half the country may as well not have played.
To be honest, I've not heard of off field distractions other than the coach go round which happens every year.

Just me looking, I think you guys have a really sound quarterback if he stays healthy, the zone block system allows you to get your speed guys out for quick hits...I just dont know who those might be.
Your starters on the O line are good size, although the depth charts I've seen would be concerning if injuries hit.
You guys all seem to like the 'backers and secondary...and i will leave that up to you. I still think the D line is undersized and i believe that is intentional....i question that philosophy but that's what coaches get paid for.
But the statement about Sattergields future is correct, a repeat of last years record and his agent may as well forget getting him interviews.

This is the thing. Satt is a great offensive mind and did well at App State. But the questions remain on if he can build a winner here.

For starters, he inherited the culture at App State. He'd been there and took over. Yes, they did transition to FBS, but so did the majority of their conference opponents they were playing, so they really weren't making a big jump in competition. He never coached in Power 5 before UofL, he coached 17 of his first 21 years at App State, 1 year at Toledo, and one at FIU. He's really a rural guy that's coming into an inner city culture.

And those things aren't as big a deal until you start factoring in this being a rebuild. He's never had to build a Power 5 roster. He inherited a program/roster that was a disaster from Bobby and he was set back 2 years. Louisville KY is nothing like Nowhere North Carolina.

That's the question, does he know how to build a successful Power 5 program? We know he can coach. We know he's a good guy. But does he understand the culture here and what it takes to win at this level? Losing Ledford worries me, as he was the guy that really motivated the players and had that knowledge from NC State about winning in the ACC.

This year is big. I don't know what to predict. I could see things going right and we go 9-3, but also I could see a 4-8 type year too. He's re-tooled the staff. He has a lot of his own players in the program that now know his system and culture. He needs to show the fans and recruits that this is going to work. That's why we need to pack Cardinal Stadium that Friday night against UCF.

 

[Guardman]

I read the Athlon report a long time ago. I think these quotes are from March and April.

The time for talk is about over. The Cards need a winning season. And no controversy.

 

[Morgantown Card]

But the statement about Sattergields future is correct, a repeat of last years record and his agent may as well forget getting him interviews.

I am willing to throw out the 2020 season as an anomaly. The whole season felt like a scrimmage that didn't matter until it was conference championship time. Covid affected everyone but it didn't affect everyone the same, too many variables, including the opponents and their variables. So this is Year 2 from my POV, and 2022 is Year 3. If the Cards don't stabilize this year and have a good (an 8-4 kind of season) next year with Malik as a senior, then they need to FARRR that sonofabeyitch.

I feel this is realistic. I don't expect 10-2 every year, but the ACC isn't that good and they should be competitive most years, have an occasional bad year, and yes a 10-2 or 11-1 season for every graduating class. The ACC isn't that good, teh Big East was better (the AAC currently is better), I am not expecting too much IMO.

 

[CardVille]

ACC has a lot of power names in football that are shells of their former selves [FSU, Miami, Va Tech]. If they get back to their glory days, then the ACC will be a football force. UofL needs to be ready for it if it happens, that will have a huge impact on Satt's future.

 

[CardsFirst]

If this is truly coming from coaches, there are going to be some surprised as$ed coaches this fall when the Cards run all over them.

My thoughts exactly. They’ve already forgotten about 2019. They’ll be reminded soon enough..

 

[KozmasAgain]

The ACC has 3 solid teams this year that can compete with a lot of good teams. Clemson, North Carolina and Miami will be top 20 teams all year. The middle of the conference will be competitive causing some upsets along the way both in and out of conference. 9 teams have solid quarterbacks , 6 of those quarterbacks are 3 year starters look for the ACC to be a lot tougher this year.

 

[LouisvilleMan1975]

Louisville

"It’s too early to throw up a red flag, but there are some alarming things you can see from the outside."

"They had a very interesting 2020. It seems like they’re losing more players and coaches than you’d expect. From a pure evaluation standpoint, they’ve lost a lot of their most talented guys and we haven’t seen or heard anything about them competing in recruiting in that state."

"The easy way to look at it is that they’re running the same offense and basically the same defense they had at App, but now they’re playing teams with equal or better talent, which almost never happened there. They’re not used to seeing a counter-punch, and it shows."

"The biggest issues here seem off the field, I think they haven’t really established who they are as a culture with those players. I think they tried to bring Appalachian State to Louisville, and that hasn’t worked out. Scott [Satterfield] talking to South Carolina didn’t help, either. When this program is good it’s because they bring in a lot of raw talent and let them play. He’s trying to create something different.”

Cards need a big year, needless to say. Even in losses they need to be competitive.

ACC Coaches

Sounds about right

 

[LeFors4Ever]

The ACC has 3 solid teams this year that can compete with a lot of good teams. Clemson, North Carolina and Miami will be top 20 teams all year. The middle of the conference will be competitive causing some upsets along the way both in and out of conference. 9 teams have solid quarterbacks , 6 of those quarterbacks are 3 year starters look for the ACC to be a lot tougher this year.

But is it tougher because the middle class of the conference does not have any clear contenders?

You are right, but it's more like

-Clemson is #1
(LARGE/HUGE/WIDE GAP)
-Then UNC & Miami as #2 & #3
-Then Louisville, Virginia Tech, NC State, Boston College, Virginia, Pitt, Wake, Florida State all together.
-And the bottom is Syracuse, Duke, and Georgia Tech

This is why I can see anything from 9-3 to 4-8. The ACC just isn't very good. UNC and Miami as #2/#3 means we're a lot closer to the top than we think, as those programs just aren't great. Clemson is the only playoff contender in the conference. UNC and Miami will have good records and rankings, but I don't fear them.

But then again, just like 2019, most all of our games are against teams that are either better or on our level. A lot of 50/50 type games and you just do not know.

 

[bobwest]

But is it tougher because the middle class of the conference does not have any clear contenders?

You are right, but it's more like

-Clemson is #1
(LARGE/HUGE/WIDE GAP)
-Then UNC & Miami as #2 & #3
-Then Louisville, Virginia Tech, NC State, Boston College, Virginia, Pitt, Wake, Florida State all together.
-And the bottom is Syracuse, Duke, and Georgia Tech

This is why I can see anything from 9-3 to 4-8. The ACC just isn't very good. UNC and Miami as #2/#3 means we're a lot closer to the top than we think, as those programs just aren't great. Clemson is the only playoff contender in the conference. UNC and Miami will have good records and rankings, but I don't fear them.

But then again, just like 2019, most all of our games are against teams that are either better or on our level. A lot of 50/50 type games and you just do not know.

My thoughts are similar. I picked 7-5 as their record. Hoping for better but defense will determine that.

 

[TheRealVille]

Sounds about right

Doesn't sound right all, especially since these comments were made during spring practices. A lot of good football players have arrived since.

It's been awhile since the OL wasn't considered a issue or the secondary was going to be a strength. The defense looks to be the best It's been in years. Guys have to perform but these guys are expected to perform.

We Cards fan don't sweat the WR position because we always have talented and a deep receiving corp. It's the one position that UofL reloads over rebuilding. RB not as much but we didn't expect Hawkins to be as good as he was when he got his chance. Mitchell looks like he's next.

My only big concern is who backs up Malik if he has any injuries. Depth is still not ideal over the whole roster but I believe this team is way under the radar and if the breaks don't go against them again, they will be one of the surprises of 2021.

 

[LouisvilleMan1975]

Doesn't sound right all, especially since these comments were made during spring practices. A lot of good football players have arrived since.

It's been awhile since the OL wasn't considered a issue or the secondary was going to be a strength. The defense looks to be the best It's been in years. Guys have to perform but these guys are expected to perform.

We Cards fan don't sweat the WR position because we always have talented and a deep receiving corp. It's the one position that UofL reloads over rebuilding. RB not as much but we didn't expect Hawkins to be as good as he was when he got his chance. Mitchell looks like he's next.

My only big concern is who backs up Malik if he has any injuries. Depth is still not ideal over the whole roster but I believe this team is way under the radar and if the breaks don't go against them again, they will be one of the surprises of 2021.

You were saying?