< Previous48 COACHING STAFF 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 48Coaching Staff Cort Dennison returned to the University of Louisville foot- ball staff in January of 2019 as the co-defensive coordinator and out- side linebackers coach. Dennison’s intense coaching style was instrumental in the unit’s improvement and his hands-on- approach also had an impact on his players, most notably outside linebacker Rodjay Burns, who moved down from cornerback. Burns recorded a career high 81 tackles and led the squad with 11.0 tackles for loss. Before coaching the 2018 sea- son at Oregon, Dennison spent four seasons with the Cardinals (2014- 17), where he established himself as a quality young coach and one of the best recruiters in the nation. A Salt Lake City, Utah, native, Dennison coached the outside linebackers and assisted in bringing one of the highest-rated recruiting classes in Oregon history. For his abilities, Dennison was named to 247Sports’ 30 Under 30 coach- ing list in 2017 and 2018. Before moving west, he ranked seventh on In- sidetheACC’s Top 10 Recruiters list after the 2017 season. This past season, Dennison was chosen to ESPN’s 40 under 40. On the field, Dennison mentored Justin Hollins and Jalen Jelks, both who earned first-team all-Pac 12 accolades, with Hollins being the only player in college football with five sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. Both players were drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, respectively. Dennison was the Cardinals’ inside linebackers coach, co-special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator in 2017. The year prior, he was the as- sistant secondary coach and recruiting coordinator. Dennison joined the UofL staff in 2014 as a defensive graduate assistant (linebackers) before working as the director of on-campus recruiting in 2015. With Dennison directing Louisville’s inside linebackers in 2017, Dorian Etheridge, a rising junior on the Cardinals’ roster, earned ESPN Freshman All- America honors after becoming the first true freshman in school history to lead the team in tackles (83). As assistant secondary coach in 2016, Dennison started his career helping the Cardinals complete the year tied for 22nd nationally and third in the ACC with 15 interceptions. The team ranked 14th in the nation in total defense (322.2 ypg) and 37th in pass defense (207.1 ypg). Before joining the Louisville staff, Dennison worked as a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky in 2013, where he assisted with the linebackers. In 2012, Dennison was the linebackers coach at Edmonds Woodway High School in Edmonds, Wash. Louisville (2019) Co-Defensive Coordinator (OLB) Oregon (2018) Assistant Coach (OLB) Louisville (2014-17) Assistant Coach (ILB) (2017) Recruiting Coordinator Safeties (2016) Recruiting Coordinator Dir. On-Campus Recruiting (2015) Defensive Graduate Assistant (2014) Western Kentucky (2013) Defensive Graduate Assistant Edmonds Woodway H.S. (2012) Assistant Coach (LB) 247SPORTS’ 30 UNDER 30 (2017, 2018) | INSIDETHEACC TOP 10 RECRUITERS (2017) | ESPN’S 40 UNDER 40 (2018) CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS n SIXTH SEASON CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BEST RECRUITERS IN THE NATION, DENNISON IS BACK FOR HIS SECOND TENURE WITH THE CARDINALS AFTER ONE SEASON AT OREGON. CORT DENNISON Playing Experience n Washington (Linebacker, 2007-11) n 2011 Second Team All-Pac-12 selection n Led the Pac-12 with 128 total tackles in 2011 n Captain and team’s most outstanding defensive player in 2011 n 2011 Second Team academic All-Pac-12 selection n Honorable mention academic All-Pac-12 in 2009 and 2010 Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Washington (Communications, 2011) n Master’s Degree: Louisville (Sport Administration, 2015)49 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 49gocards.com COACHING STAFF A veteran of the coaching pro- fession and a Kentucky na- tive, ShaDon Brown was hired as the safeties coach at the Universi- ty of Louisville on Dec. 12, 2018. In 2019, Brown guided a safe- ty group, which was led by Khane Pass, who posted a career high 81 tackles, and made the key defen- sive play in the Music City Bowl win by returning a fumble for a key touchdown late in the game. Brown spent the 2017-18 sea- sons as part of Mike MacIntyre’s staff at Colorado as the secondary coach, and was promoted to de- fensive passing game coordinator for the 2018 season. The Colorado secondary thrived over Brown’s two years, allowing opponents to complete just 56.2 percent of passes. The Buffaloes led the Pac-12 Confer- ence in opposing completion per- centage (56.7 percent) last season and ranked fourth in 2017. Brown coached a pair of All- Conference selections at Colo- rado with Evan Worthington gar- nering honorable mention honors in 2018. Isaiah Oliver was a first team All-Pac-12 selection in 2017 and was a second round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2018 National Football League draft. Prior to his time in Boulder, Brown spent the 2016 season coaching cor- nerbacks at Army. The Black Knights had one of the top defensive back units in the country, ranking sixth nationally in passing defense (170.2 yards per game), 11th in interceptions (17) and 17th in pass efficiency defense (115.12 rating). Brown was part of Army’s turnaround from 2-10 in 2015 to an 8-5 record in 2016 that included a win over North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Brown spent five seasons (2011-15) at Wofford College, the first four as cornerbacks coach before switching to the safeties in his final year there. Brown was also the special teams coordinator during the 2013-14 seasons and was promoted to recruiting coordinator in the spring of 2015. He coached three all-conference corners at Wofford, including Blake Wylie who earned third-team All-American honors in 2012. In the summer of 2015, he participated in the NFL’s program for minority coaches by interning with the Super Bowl 50 runner-up Carolina Panthers, where he worked with the defensive backs. Before joining the Wofford staff, Brown was a coach in the Kentucky high school ranks. From 2008-10 he was head coach at Rowan County High School, where he led the Vikings to the 2010 Class 4A District 8 Championship, the school’s first title since 1982. He was named the Kentucky Class 4A District 8 Coach of the Year for that season, and 10 of his players went on to play college football. He was an assistant coach at Boyle County High for the 2007 season. After graduating, he started his coaching career in 2003 as a graduate assistant helping tutor the linebackers at the University of the Cumberlands. After one year, he was promoted to the full-time assistant coach for the inside linebackers for the 2004-05 seasons, helping lead the Patriot football team to a ranking as high as No. 5 in the nation. In 2006, he returned to his alma mater as the inside linebackers coach for one season. He and his wife, Rhonda, have a daughter, Shaelyn, and two sons, Braylon and Keenan. Louisville (2019-) Assistant Coach (S) Colorado (2017-18) Def. Passing Game Coordinator (2018) Assistant Coach (Secondary) (2017) Army (2016) Assistant Coach (CB) Carolina Panthers (2015) Summer Intern (Secondary) Wofford (2011-15) Assistant Coach (S) (2015) Assistant Coach (CB) (2011-14) Rowan County H.S. (2008-10) Head Coach Boyle County H.S. (2007) Assistant Coach Campbellsville (2006) Assistant Coach (ILB) Univ. of Cumberlands (2003-05) Assistant Coach (ILB) (2004-05) Graduate Assistant (OLB) (2003) Playing Experience n Campbellsville (Linebacker) n Helped CU win a school record 10 games in 2001 n Reached NAIA quarterfinals and finished season ranked No. 10 in 2001 n Team captain as a senior in 2002 Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Campbellsville (Physical Eduation, 2003) n Wife: Rhonda n Daughter: Shaelyn n Sons: Braylon, Keenan SAFETIES n SECOND SEASON SHADON BROWN BROWN RETURNED TO HIS HOME STATE AFTER ORCHESTRATING STRONG SECONDARY UNITS AT COLORADO AND ARMY BEFORE JOINING THE LOUISVILLE STAFF.50 COACHING STAFF 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 50Coaching Staff One of the top technicians in the collegiate game, Gunter Brewer was hired to coach the wide receivers in 2019. A veteran with over 30 years of coaching experience, Brewer’s expertise was evident leading the Cardinals’ wide receivers led by speedster Tutu Atwell, who was an All-American and a first team all-ACC performer. Atwell set the school record for receiving yards in a season, re- cording 1,276 yards and tied the school mark with 12 touchdowns. He was the first UofL wide re- ceiver to record over 1,000 yards since 2007. Brewer joined the staff after the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl run fell short in the second round of the playoffs in the Na- tional Football League. In one season with the Eagles, Brewer worked with a unit that featured veteran wide receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Nelson Ag- holor, Under Brewer’s direction, Jeffrey recorded his highest re- ceiving yardage (843) and recep- tion totals (65) in a single season since 2014. Agholor recorded career highs in receptions (64) and yards after the catch (350). In 2018 Philadelphoa registered the seventh-ranked passing offense and the eight-rated team passer rating in the NFL. The Eagles also finished ninth in 10+ yards plays and 10th in passing yards per play. Before his stint in the NFL, Brewer made his name in the college game af- ter coaching a trio of Biletnikoff Award finalists throughout his career – Randy Moss, Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. Brewer has a long history of coaching wide receivers in the Atlantic Coast Conference after mentoring the wide receivers at North Carolina for 11 years, including six as the co-offensive coordinator from 2012-17. While with the Tar Heels, he coached four of the top five wide receivers in career receptions at UNC. In assisting with the offense, UNC set the school record for passing yards five times during his stint, throwing for more than 3,500 yards each year from 2012-16.The Tar Heels led the NCAA in yards per play (7.3) and ranked ninth in scoring offense (school-record 40.7 points per game) en route to the program’s first-ever appearance in the ACC Championship Game during the 2015 season. That season, Mack Hollins had an NCAA-leading 24.8 receiving average, and went on to set the school career record with 20.6 yards per reception. Hollins also finished third in Tar Heels history with 20 receiving touchdowns, posting a career-high eight receiving touchdowns in back-to-back seasons from 2014-15. Prior to his return to Chapel Hill, Brewer served one season as the as- sociate head coach/passing game coordinator at Ole Miss (2011) and spent six seasons in various capacities at Oklahoma State (co-offensive coordina- tor/wide receivers coach, 2009-10; co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, 2008; wide receiv- ers coach, 2005-07). With the Cowboys, Brewer’s term in Stillwater included five bowl appear- ances and the program’s first Big 12 South Cham- pionship in 2010. Brewer recruited and served as the position coach for Blackmon, a unanimous first-team All-America who won the Biletnikoff Award presented to the nation’s top receiver. Blackmon finished the 2010 season as the national leader in receiving yards per game and was second in recep- tions per game. His 1,782 receiving yards were the most ever for a sophomore in NCAA history, and he set another NCAA record with 12 consecutive games with at least 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. Brewer’s work with the Cowboy wide receivers was key in OSU finishing the 2010 season ranked second in the nation in passing offense and third in the nation in both total offense and scoring offense. With Brewer as co-offensive coordinator, the Cowboys offense produced a pair of first-team All-Americas in Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter, to go with first-round NFL Draft picks in lineman Russell Okung and tight end Brandon Pettigrew. In 2008, Brewer’s offensive unit finished top-10 nationally in rushing, total offense, scoring and pass efficiency. He was also the position coach for quar- terback Zac Robinson, who was a finalist for the Manning Award and ranked fifth nationally in pass efficiency and 18th in total offense. Brewer coached Biletnikoff semifinalist Adarius Bowman to consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2006 and 2007, while D’Juan Woods was a 2005 all-Big 12 pick and ended his career as OSU’s third all-time leading receiver in both receptions and yards. Brewer was the wide receivers coach and associate offensive coordinator at Marshall from 1996-99. Brewer coached Moss – a Hall of Famer and the third Biletnikoff Award winner — to stardom while helping the Thundering Herd to a 50-4 record over that time, including a perfect 13-0 mark and No. 10 final national ranking in 1999. As a player, Brewer was a two-year letter-winner as a wide receiver at Wake Forest, where he earned his degree in science and health sports in 1987. In 1989, he was awarded a master’s in education with a specialization in exercise physiology from Ole Miss. Louisville (2019-) Assistant Coach (WR) Philadelphia Eagles (2018) Assistant Coach (WR) North Carolina (2000-04, 2012-17) Co-Offensive Coordinator (WR) (2012-17) Assistant Coach (WR) (2000-04) Mississippi (1988-89, 2011) Associate Head Coach/ Passing Game Coordinator (2011) Graduate Assistant (1989-90) Oklahoma State (2005-10) Co-Offensive Coordinator (WR) (2009-10) Co-Offensive Coordinator (QB) (2008) Assistant Coach (WR) Marshall (1996-99) Associate Offensive Coordinator (WR) (1996-99) Northeast Mississippi CC (1995) Head Coach (1995) East Tennessee (1990-95) Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (WR) (1990-95) Playing Experience n Wake Forest (Wide Receiver), 1985-86 Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Wake Forest, 1987 (Science and Health Sports, 1987) n Master’s Degree: Mississippi, 1989 (Education) n Wife: Rhonda n Daughter: Lauren n Son: Keaton, Daughter in Law: Kate, Grandson: Billy WIDE RECEIVERS n SECOND SEASON BREWER COACHED A NFL HALL OF FAMER, HEISMAN FINALIST AND THREE BILETNIKOFF FINALISTS DURING HIS COLLEGIATE COACHING CAREER. ONE OF ONLY THREE COACHES TO HAVE MULTIPLE WINNERS. GUNTER BREWER51 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 51gocards.com COACHING STAFF Stu Holt, a 24-year coaching veteran and one of the top spe- cial teams coaches in the nation, was hired as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Louisville in December of 2018. Holt’s impact was felt immedi- ately, guiding the Cardinals’ spe- cial teams units to top-25 finishes in kickoff returns and punt returns. The Cardinals ranked fifth nation- ally in kickoff returns at 27.4 yards a return. Holt mentored first-year tight end Marshon Ford, who led the ACC tight ends in receiving tight ends with seven. Before joining the Louisville staff, Holt spent four seasons coaching the running backs and serving as the special teams coordinator at Appa- lachian State, guiding the Mountain- eers to three consecutive conference championships and four bowl ap- pearances. Holt’s running backs eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in four con- secutive seasons, including Dar- rynton Evans, who ranked in the top-20 nationally with 1,187 yards and averaged better than 6.6 yards per carry in guiding the Mountain- eers to an 11-2 mark and their third straight Sun Belt title. Evans earned first team all-Sun Belt and third team all-purpose in 2018. The Mountaineers recorded 10 100-yard running games and averaged 240.3 yards on the ground, tallying 10 games of 200 or more yards on the ground. Serving as the special teams coordinator in 2018, Appalachian State tallied four touchdowns on kick and punt returns, tying for the national lead with three scores on punt returns. The Mountaineers ranked second nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 28.8 yards per return, and were fourth in blocked kicks with six. The Mountaineers also ranked in the top 20 nationally in net punting, punt return defense and punt returns. In 2017 behind 1,037 rushing yards from running back Jalin Moore, the Moun- taineers led the Sun Belt in rushing and ranked 22nd in the country by totaling an average of 223.6 yards per game – rushing for over 300 yards in each of their last three games, including 327 yards in the bowl win over Toledo. In 2016, Holt mentored the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year in Moore and the program’s all-time leading rusher in Marcus Cox, who rushed for over 5,000 yards for his career. Moore and Cox combined to be one of the most pro- ductive tandems in all of college football, as they formed one of only three duos to average over 100 yards per game apiece during the 2016 season. App State was No. 10 nationally in rushing yards per game at 250.9 and led the Sun Belt in the category for the second consecutive year. In Holt’s initial season, the Mountaineers were led by Cox, who continued his record-setting career by finishing with 1,418 yards – good for 17th in the nation and third in the Sun Belt. Cox again topped national and conference rankings with 118.6 yards per game (13th national; 3rd Sun Belt) and all-purpose yards (132.2 yards per game), ranking second in the Sun Belt and 20th in the nation. With Holt overseeing the ground game, Appalachian State finished No. 6 in the nation and second in the Sun Belt with 271.5 yards of rushing offense. The Mountaineers led the Sun Belt Conference in total offensive yards with 466.2 yards per game, good also for 20th nationally. Holt made an immediate impact on the Appalachian State special teams, im- proving from 128th to 25th in efficiency from 2014 to 2015. Kicker Zach Matics was named first team All- Sun Belt after going 14-of- 17 on field goals and drill- ing the game-winner as time expired to win the Camellia Bowl. Holt came to Appala- chian State after two seasons at South Florida, where he served as the Bulls’ tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. He arrived at USF as director of player personnel in 2013 before taking over as special teams coordinator prior to the 2013 campaign. He added oversight of the Bulls’ tight ends to his duties in 2014. In 2013, Holt was nominated for the Broyles Award (National Assistant Coach of the Year) after USF’s special teams improved in nearly every statistical category despite the loss of its key performers. Under Holt’s tutelage, USF’s special teams were ranked No. 3 nationally by ESPN Stats & Info. The Bulls led the American Athletic Conference and ranked No. 9 nationally in punt returns (14.44-yard average) and first-year place kicker Marvin Kloss was one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award (national kicker of the year). Before going to USF, Holt spent eight of the previous nine seasons at Western Kentucky, first as running backs coach (2004-09) before coaching the tackles/tight ends (2011-12). He also coordinated the Hilltoppers’ special teams in 2005 and 2009 before one season at Tennessee State (2010), coaching the running backs. In those seven seasons as a running backs coach, Holt has produced impres- sive ground attacks and individual rushers. His units ranked among the NCAA Division I FCS top 25 in rushing twice — 14th at WKU in 2004 (226.2 ypg) and 24th at Tennessee State in 2010 (190.0 ypg). Additionally, he coached two 1,000- yard rushers at WKU (Lerron Moore and Tyrell Hayden). Over the course of his career, Holt has coached 11 student-athletes that have gone on to play in the National Football League — Brian Claybourn, Jack Doyle, Mitchell Henry and Bobby Rainey at WKU, Ciabatti, Sean Price (TE), Kloss and Mike McFarland at USF, Wake Forest All-American Steve Justice at New Smyrna Beach H.S, and Marcus Cox at Appalachian State. Louisville (2019-) Assistant Coach (TE/Special Teams) Appalachian State (2015-18) Assistant Coach (RB/ Special Teams) South Florida (2013-14) Assistant Coach (TE/ Special Teams) Western Kentucky (2011-12) Assistant Coach (T/TE) Tennessee State (2010) Assistant Coach (RB) Western Kentucky (2004-09) Assistant Coach (RB/Special Teams) New Smyrna Beach H.S. (2002-03) Head Coach Bethune-Cookman (2001) Assistant Coach (LB/ Special Teams) Cumberland (2000) Assistant Coach (DL/Special Teams) Western Carolina (1998-99) (DL) Mainland H.S. (1997) Assistant Coach (RB) Norwich (1996) Assistant Coach (LB/ST) Playing Experience n North Carolina (Long Snapper, 1991-95) Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: North Carolina (English, 1995) n Master’s Degree: Western Carolina (Education, 2000) n Wife: Kim n Daughters: Payton, Maggie, Ann Wallace BROYLES AWARD NOMINEE (2013) TIGHT ENDS / SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR n SECOND SEASON STU HOLT HOLT GUIDED THE CARDINALS TO TOP 25 FINISHES IN PUNT AND KICKOFF OFF RETURNS, AS WELL AS PUNT RETURN DEFENSE IN 2019.52 COACHING STAFF 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 52Coaching Staff Mark Ivey, a long-time assis- tant at Appalachian State, was named defensive line coach at the University of Louisville in January of 2019. Coaching the defensive line last season, the Cardinals in- creased their sack total from 11 in 2018 to 27 in 2019, with defen- sive lineman G.G. Robinson lead- ing the group with 4.0. Before joining the Louisville staff, Ivey spent seven seasons with the Mountaineers, coaching the outside linebackers and the defensive line. Ivey was promoted to interim head coach following Satterfield’s departure to Louisville, guid- ing the Mountaineers to a 45-13 win over Middle Tennessee in the 2018 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. In guiding Appalachian State to a win in the first Sun Belt Championship Game and picking up a bowl win, Ivey worked with a defensive line that included All-Sun Belt first-team pick MyQuon Stout, who recorded 21 tackles. Ivey’s coaching development helped three walk-ons be- come regular contributors as part of a nine-man rotation. Before the 2018 season, Ivey was promoted to assistant head coach to go along with his duties as the defensive line coach. Assisting on the defensive side of the football, Appalachian State’s defense ranked 17th nationally in 2017 with 38 sacks. In his first three seasons with the Mountaineers, Ivey’s linemen combined for more than 52.5 sacks and 109 tackles for loss for a defense that led the conference in total defense and scoring defense in consecutive campaigns. In 2016, Appalachian State allowed the fewest points in conference play of any FBS team, finishing in the Top 10 nationally in scoring defense, and the top 20 in both total defense and rushing defense. Under Ivey’s guidance, Ronald Blair, who was named the Sun Belt’s De- fensive Student-Athlete of the Year, ranked first in the Sun Belt for tackles for loss with 19 and second in sacks with seven. Blair was selected in the fifth round, with the 142nd pick in the NFL Draft, by the San Francisco 49ers. In 2013, three of Ivey’s outside linebackers ranked among Appalachian State’s top eight in tackles. Despite not starting a game as a true freshman, Ken- nan Gilchrist ranked fourth on the team and among the Southern Conference’s top 40 with 59 stops, en route to earning freshman all-conference honors. Serving as the special-teams coordinator from 2012-14, Ivey oversaw a unit that led the SoCon with a gaudy 40.6-yard net punting average. Punter Bentlee Critcher became only the second true freshman in school history to earn NCAA Division I FCS all-America recognition after ranking second among all FCS punters with a 45.9-yard punting average. The 2012 season saw the Mountaineers rank second in NCAA Division I FCS with a 40.8-yard net punting average on the strength of 45.9 yards per punt by all-American Sam Martin. Before returning to Appalachian State in 2012, Ivey spent 16 years as a successful high school coach in Florida, including 10 seasons as head coach at Cypress Lake in Fort Myers (2002-06) and Barron Collier in Naples (2007- 11). In five seasons at Barron Collier, he led the Cougars to a 36-19 overall record and state playoff appearances all five years. BCHS won three-straight district championships from 2007-09, doubling the number of district titles that the school had claimed in its first 29 years of existence. Ivey and his wife Rosa have three daughters: Britini, Maggie, and Gabri- ella. Louisville (2019-) Assistant Coach (DL) Appalachian State (2012-18) Interim Head Coach (Dec. 4, 2018) Assistant Head Coach (DL) (2018) Assistant Coach (DL) (2014-17) Assistant Coach (OLB/ST) (2012-13) Barron Collier H.S. (2007-11) Head Coach Cypress Lakes H.S. (2002-06) Head Coach Gulf Coast H.S. (1998-2001) Assistant Coach Cape Coral H.S. (1997) Assistant Coach Port CharlottE H.S. (1996) Assistant Coach Playing Experience n Appalachian State (Linebacker/Defensive Lineman, 1991-95) n Recorded 166 tackles in 47 games n Started 12 games as a senior with 66 tackles, four sacks and eight TFL n Helped App State to 11-0 record and Southern Conference Championship Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Appalachian State (Industrial Technology, 1996) n Wife: Rosa (Drawdy) n Daughters: Britini, Maggie, Gabriella DEFENSIVE LINE n SECOND SEASON IVEY LED APPALACHIAN STATE TO A R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL VICTORY AS THE INTERIM HEAD COACH AFTER SCOTT SATTERFIELD’S DEPARTURE TO LOUISVILLE. MARK IVEY53 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 53gocards.com COACHING STAFF University of Louisville head coach Scott Satterfield add- ed Derek Nicholson to the staff in January of 2020 as the inside linebackers coach with the Car- dinals. Nicholson comes to Louis- ville for the second time after spending four seasons at South- ern Mississippi – two seasons coaching the defensive line and serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He spent the 2014 sea- son at the University of Louis- ville, coaching outside lineback- ers/defensive ends on a defense that ranked fifth in the country in total defense, lead the nation in interceptions, were ninth in total sacks and fourth in rush defense. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., assisted with a defense that led Con- ference USA and finished 18th nationally in rushing defense. The Golden Eagles finished third in the league and 37th in the country in total defense in helping the team to an appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl. Under Nicholson’s tutelage, linebacker Hayes Maple was named to the Conference USA all-Freshman squad after finishing with 31 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. With Nicholson coaching the linebackers in 2018, the Golden Eagles established themselves with one of the nation’s top defenses, finishing third in total defense, sixth in rushing defense, 11th in passing defense, and 19th in scoring defense. Two of his linebackers, Racheem Boothe and Sherrod Ruff, were named Conference USA honorable mention. Before joining the Southern Mississippi staff, Nicholson spent one season tutoring the defensive line at Alcorn State, leading the team to a Southwestern Athletic Conference title and working with a defense that finished fourth in the country in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss. Four of his defensive linemen registered seven or more sacks. Nicholson worked one season Akron coaching linebackers in 2013, developing a pair linebackers that earn first and third team Mid-American Conference honors. It marked the first time since 2010 that Akron placed a first-team linebacker, and the first time since 2001 that the Zips had multiple linebackers on the All-Conference team. He began his coaching career in 2011, coaching high school football in both North Carolina and Florida. A standout linebacker at Florida State, Nicholson finished his career with 207 tackles, 25.5 TFL, three sacks and two defensive touchdowns, and was named to the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Watch Lists in 2008. Nicholson led the Seminoles leading tackler for two consecutive sea- sons, recording 99 in 2007 and 81 during the 2008 campaign. He re- corded 15.5 TFL in one season in 2008 which ranked him tied for 10th in FSU history. He also scored two defensive touchdowns in one season, and finished ranked fourth best all time in one season at FSU as a defender. In 2008, he garnered All-ACC honors and was a member of the All-ACC academic team during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He earned his undergraduate degree in sport management in just three years in December 2008. He was an undrafted free agent signee by the Atlanta Falcons and played for them in 2009 before a career-ending knee injury. Nicholson and his wife, Onnie, a former soccer athlete at Florida State and with the USA National Team, have three children: Alana, Dace and Amaya. Louisville (2020) Assistant Coach (ILB) Southern Miss (2016-19) Co-Def. Coordinator (LB) (2018-19) Assistant Coach DL) (2016-17) Alcorn State (2015-16) Assistant Coach (DL) (2015-16) Louisville (2014-15) Graduate Assistant (2014-15) Akron (2013-14) Graduate Assistant (2013-14) Playing Experience n 4-year letterman (2005-2008) and 3-year starter (2006-2008) at Florida State) n One of four players to lead the team in tackles in back to back seasons during the Bowden Era Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Florida State (Sports Management, 2008) n Wife: Onnie n Daughters: Alana, Amaya n Son: Dace INSIDE LINEBACKERS n FIRST SEASON DEREK NICHOLSON NICHOLSON WASTHE SEMINOLES’ LEADING TACKLER FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, RECORDING 99 IN 2007 AND 81 DURING THE 2008 CAMPAIGN.54 COACHING STAFF 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 54Coaching Staff Norval Mckenzie begins his second season coaching the running backs at the University of Louisville. McKenize’s running backs were outstanding in his first sea- son, guiding redshirt freshman Javian Hawkins to a record- breaking season. Hawkins, a sec- ond team all-ACC back, earned Freshman All-American honors after setting the school’s freshman record with 1,525 yards, which is also the most by a running back in school history. The native of Titusville, Fla., recorded eight 100-yard games and finished eighth in the nation in rushing yards. Before joining the Louisville staff, McKenzie, who was a 2018 Broyles Award nominee, spent the previous three seasons as the running backs coach at Arkansas State. In 2018, McKenzie’s running backs were an integral component of the of- fense that averaged 186.4 yards on the ground, guiding the Red Wolves to an 8-5 record. As the special teams coordinator, McKenzie’s units were some of the best all-time and in the nation. The Red Wolves set an NCAA record for punt return defense by holding opponents to -15 yards for the season, and closing the year ranked sixth nationally in kick return defense. Murray, who finished seventh in the Sun Belt in rushing, ran for 860 yards and eight scores, while Wand totaled 792 yards and four touch- downs to help the Red Wolves finish fifth in the conference in rushing. Wand closed his career finishing in the top five in school history in rush- ing yards. McKenzie’s impact was felt during his second season, helping the Red Wolves rank No. 10 in the nation in total offense, averaging a school-record 494.8 yards per game. The unit also accounted for 10 combined touchdowns as the team ranked No. 13 in the country in scoring offense with 37.8 points per game. In that season, Wand and Johnson combined for 1,145 yards and nine touchdowns. In McKenzie’s first season in 2016, the Red Wolves won a Sun Belt Confer- ence championship with a 7-1 record and defeated UCF 31-13 in the Cure Bowl. During that campaign, Wand and junior Johnston White combined to rush for 1,351 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wand, a second-team all-confer- ence honoree, rushed for a team-high 879 yards, while also posting 24 recep- tions for 279 yards and three more scores. Before his stint at Arkansas State, McKenzie spent five seasons at Furman, serving as the running backs coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator. While coaching at Furman, McKenzie instructed a pair of All-Southern Conference running backs and two others who were named to the league’s All-Freshman team. Jerodis Williams was a two-time All-SoCon choice after rushing for 2,225 yards and 20 touchdowns over his junior and senior cam- paigns, in addition to earning All-America honors in 2012 when he led the FCS in kickoff returns (35.9 avg., 2 TDs). McCloud, who completed his career ranked 10th in Furman rushing histo- ry, garnered all-conference recognition in 2013 after running for 1,110 yards and five scores. Triston Luke rushed for 385 yards and a pair of scores in 2015 to find a place on the league’s All-Freshman team, while Marcus Anderson earned the recognition in 2013 when he posted 334 rushing yards and two touchdowns. McKenzie helped lead Furman to a 2013 SoCon championship and sev- eral victories over FCS nationally-ranked teams, including No. 5 Wofford in 2011. The Paladins also knocked off then-FCS member and No. 3-ranked Ap- palachian State in 2011. McKenzie earned an undergraduate degree in secondary education, polit- ical science, and American history in 2005. He completed his master’s degree in education at Vanderbilt in 2010. Following graduation, he began his coaching career at Hiram (Ga.) High School, working two seasons there before returning to Vanderbilt as a gradu- ate assistant coach for the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. The 2008 season saw him help Vanderbilt post its first winning season (7- 6) since 1982 with a 16-14 victory over Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl – the program’s first bowl victory since 1955. McKenzie as- sumed the duties of assistant recruiting coordinator, while also helping with player development and coordinating the Gridiron Club for former Commo- dore letter winners, in 2010. Louisville (2019) Running Backs Arkansas State (2016-18) Running Backs Special Teams Coordinator Furman (2011-15) Running Backs Special Teams Coordinator Recruiting Coordinator Vanderbilt (2008-10) Asst. Recruiting Coordinator (2010) Graduate Assistant (2008-09) Hiram (Ga.) H.S. (2006-07) Assistant Coach Playing Experience n Vanderbilt (Running Back, 2001-04) n Rushed for 1,411 career yards n Led Vanderbilt in rushing as a junior and senior Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Vanderbilt (Secondary Education/Political Science/ American History, 2005) n Master’s Degree: Vanderbilt (Education, 2010) n Wife: Amber n Daughter: Anaya n Sons: Storm and Bolt BROYLES AWARD NOMINEE (2018) RUNNING BACKS n SECOND SEASON MCKENZIE GUIDED JAVIAN HAWKINS TO THE BEST RUSHING MARK BY A RUNNING BACK IN SCHOOL HISTORY WITH 1,525 YARDS AND NINE TOUCHDOWNS IN 2019. NORVAL MCKENZIE55 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL 55gocards.com COACHING STAFF Regarded as one of the top recruiters in the state of Flor- ida, Frank Ponce joined the Uni- versity of Louisville football staff Dec. 12, 2018. Ponce, who came to Louisville after six successful seasons as the co-offensive coor- dinator/passing game coordinator at Appalachian State, serves as the quarterbacks coach for the Cardinals. In his first season with the Cardinals, Ponce oversaw the transformation of starter Micale Cunningham, who set the school record for passing efficiency and would have ranked second na- tionally, but fell one pass shy of qualifying for the NCAA rankings. Throwing for 473 yards and one touchdown in 2018, Cun- ningham surpassed those num- bers by passing for 2,065 yards and 22 touchdowns, while lead- ing the Cardinals to an 8-5 record and a win in the Music City Bowl, where Cunningham was named the game’s MVP. Ponce’s six seasons as Appa- lachian State’s co-offensive coor- dinator and quarterbacks coach coincided with a resurgence for the Mountaineers. Over that span, Ponce spearheaded an improved offense that finished with a 50-24 record and three consecutive Sun Belt championships. Appalachian State ranked 15th nationally in rushing offense in 2018, while ranking 20th in scoring offense. The Mountaineers scored 30 or more points in nine games, including a season high 72 points versus Gardner-Webb and 52 against South Alabama. In assisting with a potent running attack, Ponce’s offense totaled nine games of rushing for over 200 yards, posting an average of 230.6 yards a game over the last five contests. Ponce tutored Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Zac Thomas to a stel- lar statistical season in his only year as the starter. Thomas led the league in QBR (No. 12 FBS, 79.3), yards per pass attempt (No. 30 FBS, 8.1) and yards per completion (No. 37 FBS, 12.93). With TD runs of 25 and 35 yards in the Sun Belt title game pushing his season total to 10 rushing TDs, the 11th-best mark among FBS QBs, he was 63-of-97 passing for 717 yards with 11 total TDs (seven passing) and no INTs since returning to the lineup after missing four games with an injury. In 2017, Ponce helped groom Taylor Lamb, who finished his career as the school and Sun Belt leader in touchdown passes with 90. The only FBS quarterbacks in 2017 with career totals of at least 9,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards were Lamb, Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett and Heisman Trophy finalist Lamar Jackson. With 27 touchdown passes and six interceptions as a senior, Lamb had the second-best season for an Appalachian State quarterback in terms of touch- down-to-interception ratio. He ranked 15th nationally in passing efficiency (152.2), 17th in passing touchdowns (27) and 20th in point responsibility (192). Lamb led the conference in passing efficiency two years straight and was fourth as a junior, last season despite a group of young wide receivers. In 2015, Lamb ranked third among all freshman in the NCAA Division I FBS, he ranked No. 10 nation- ally with a 160.7 pass-ef- ficiency rating and was the highest-rated sophomore. Working with Ponce, Lamb has set several Appalachian State records, including freshman passing yards (2,381) and touchdown passes (17) by a freshman during his Sun Belt Fresh- man of the Year campaign and, in 2015, most touch- down passes in a season (31). Leading Appalachian State to an 11-2 record, Ponce’s potent aerial attack led the the Sun Belt in passing efficiency (163.2), which stood seventh-best nationally, en route to the No. 2 best red zone offense in the conference. In his first season at Appalachian State (2013), Ponce directed the South- ern Conference’s No. 2-ranked passing game (271.8 ypg). He also oversaw the development of quarterback Kameron Bryant, who came into the season with just 13 snaps under his belt yet set school records for single-season com- pletion percentage (.712) and passing yards by a sophomore (2,713) despite not making his debut as a starter until the fifth game of the season. Ponce arrived in Boone, N.C. after six seasons (2007-12) as the wide re- ceivers coach at Florida International, where he worked with Satterfield for the two seasons that Satterfield served as FIU’s offensive coordinator (2010-11). Ponce coached six of the top 10 receivers in FIU history during his six sea- sons with the Golden Panthers. His most notable pupil at FIU was three-time all-American T.Y. Hilton, who went on to be a third-round NFL Draft pick and has enjoyed a tremendous pro career, catching 493 passes for 7,813 yards and 40 touchdowns in seven NFL seasons. He also mentored Greg Ellingson, a long-time Canadian Football League star, who has caught 416 passes for 6,095 yards and 36 touchdowns. Ponce was also celebrated for his recruiting ability during his time at FIU and was honored by ESPN.com as the Sun Belt’s top recruiter in 2010. During his tenure at FIU, the Golden Panthers’ recruiting classes ranked among the top three in the Sun Belt five times, according to Rivals.com. Ponce and his wife Christine are the the parents of two daughters, Isabel and Leah, and a pair of sons, Frankie and Lucas. Louisville (2019-) Assistant Coach (QB) Appalachian State (2013-18) Co-Offensive Coordinaator (QB) Florida International (2007-12) Assistant Coach (WR) Miami Senior H.S. (2004-06) Head Coach / Off. Coordinator Miami Coral Reef H.S. (2002-03) Head Coach Miami Killian (2001) Offensive Coordinator Miami Central H.S. (1999-2000) Offensive Coordinator (QB) Miami Northwestern H.S. (1998) Assistant Coach (QB) Coral Gables H.S. (1993-96) Assistant Coach (QB/WR) La Progresiva Presbyterian (1992) Offensive Coordinator Playing Experience n Arizona Western (Quarterback, 1989-90) Personal n Bachelor’s Degree: Florida International (Physical Education, 1997) n Wife: Christine Cruz-Ponce n Daughters: Isabel, Leah n Sons: Frankie, Lucas ESPN.COM SUN BELT CONFERENCE RECRUITER OF THE YEAR (2010) QUARTERBACKS n SECOND SEASON FRANK PONCE QUARTERBACK MICALE CUNNINGHAM SET THE SCHOOL RECORD FOR PASSING EFFICIENCY AND WAS SECOND IN THE NATION.STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING Mike Sirignano Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Sirignano joined the University of Louis- ville as the head strength and conditioning coach for the football program in December of 2018. In his first season with the Cardinals, he assisted in the overall physical development of offensive tackle Mekhi Bec- ton, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was integral in shaping the body of the offensive tackle and helping him become of the dominating players in the ACC. A key component in the football department, Sirignano oversees every aspect of the UofL football program and is relied on heavily by head coach Scott Satterfield to handle the day-to-day operations. Sirignano came to Louisville from Appalachian State, where he started as the director of strength and conditioning in 2014 and was later promoted to assistant athletics director for athletic performance. Sirignano has previously worked on the strength and conditioning staffs at South Carolina (2012-14), Elon (2012), Rhode Island (2010- 12), Northeastern (2009-10) and Bryant (2009). The list of notable student-athletes he has trained includes more than 25 football players that have gone on to play in the National Football League and four track and field Olympians. Outside of the college ranks, Sirignano served as the president and director of his own company, Next Level ELITE Training Center, from 2007-09 and the defensive coordinator and strength and condi- tioning coach at Woonsocket (R.I.) High School in 2008-09. Sirignano is a 2007 graduate of Bridgewater (Mass.) State, where he was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American, three-time All- New England honoree and three-time Eastern College Athletic Conference all-star. Sirignano and his wife, Karolina, have a son, Dominic. Aurmon Satchell Associate Strength Coach Aurmon Satchell is in his second season at the University of Louisville as an associate strength coach for the football program. Satchell came to Louisville from the University of New Mexico, where he served as the director of athletic perfor- mance since 2016. While at UNM, he oversaw all aspects of the athletic performance department for the Lobos, and supervising six assistant performance coaches. Satchell has previously worked on the football strength and con- ditioning staffs at South Carolina (2012-16 and 2009-11) and Indiana (2011-12). He also spent two years working at Minnesota. Outside the workout room, Satchell spent time volunteering at the Lowry Family Center mentoring at risk youth. A 2007 graduate of the University of Texas, Satchell was a four- year member of the Longhorn football team as a linebacker. Geoff Stanford Associate Strength Coach Geoff Stanford joined the University of Louis- ville as an associate strength coach for the football program in December of 2018. Stanford came to Louisville from Appalachian State where he was an assistant strength and conditioning coach since 2017, where he was responsible for assisting with the athletic, personal, and mental development of football student-athletes. He also oversaw the strength and conditioning interns. Stanford has previously worked at Texas A&M (2017) and Mis- souri State (2015-17) in their sports performance and strength and condition offices. A 2014 graduate of Missouri State, Stanford received his degree in exercise and movement science. Jamel Cooper Assistant Strength Coach Jamel Cooper joined the University of Louisville as an assistant strength coach for the football pro- gram in 2018. Cooper came to Louisville from Wake Forest where he served at the senior coordinator of sports performance since 2017. He worked with all aspect of the football strength and condi- tioning program, including both in and off-season programming. Prior to Wake Forest, Cooper spent two years (2015-17) working at Middle Tennessee State as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for football. Before getting into college athletics, he served as the head sports performance coach at Tidewater Sports Performance in Newport New, Virginia. Cooper is a two-time graduate of Georgia Southern where he re- ceived a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science and kinesiol- ogy in 2012 and a Master of Science in coaching education in 2018. He also spent two years as a running back for the Eagles. 2020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL Coaching Staff562020 LO UIS VILLE C ARDIN ALS F OO TB ALL gocards.com RECRUITING AND OPERATIONS 57 Reed Case Director of Football Recruiting Reed Case enters his second year as director of recruiting for Louisville football. A veteran in college football with almost 25 years of experience, Case has gathered a wide- range of knowledge, holding expertise in recruiting, operations, ad- ministration and coaching. Before joining Scott Satterfield’s staff, Case spent one season in the Atlantic Coast Conference with Pitt as the director of recruit- ing and one year as the assistant director of recruiting at Missis- sippi State. Prior to his tenure with the Bulldogs, he was the director of re- cruiting at Texas (2014-17) under former UofL head coach Charlie Strong, who coached the Cardinals from 2010-13. Case served two stints with the Longhorns, working as a special assistant for a pair of head coaches from 1997-2000, and spent four years on the Texas staff working in recruiting, scouting and video. His additional collegiate administrative stops include Oklahoma as director of player personnel under Bob Stoops (2011-14); East Carolina as director of football administration under Skip Holtz (2008-10); Oklahoma State as coordinator of football operations under Mike Gundy (2007-08); Northwestern as assistant recruiting coordinator under Pat Fitzgerald (2006-07); and Akron as director of football operations under J.D. Brookhart (2004-05). Case took to the field from 2001-03, serving as a defensive grad- uate assistant coach on Al Groh’s staff at Virginia. While with the Cavaliers, he had a professional scouting internship with the Houston Texans during the summer of 2003. A native of Hopedale, Ohio, Case began his football journey as an assistant football coach on the high school level. He worked with a pair of perennial Ohio state playoff programs in Sheridan High School (1992-94) and Cadiz High School (1995-96). Case was also head wrestling coach at Cadiz, where he was honored as the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) and Eastern District Coach of the Year. Tyler McEntire Recruiting Coordinator Tyler McEntire joined the University of Louisville as the director of recruiting operations in 2019. He will be responsible for overseeing and implement- ing the recruiting media strategy to effectively reach prospective student athletes. Before joining head coach Scott Satterfield’s staff, McEntire worked two seasons at NC State as the director of creative media for the foot- ball staff. He came to Raleigh in 2017 from Appalachian State, where he spent 2016 as a graduate assistant coach for Satterfield, working with the tight ends for the Sun Belt Conference Champions. Prior to his coaching stint, he served as the Mountaineers’ director of high school relations, where he used his design and video skills to assist the recruiting department. McEntire began working in video operations as an undergraduate at Appalachian State, then worked as a student-assistant coach for three seasons and then as an offensive graduate assistant. Before returning to Boone in 2015, he spent time as a recruiting graduate assistant at Virginia Tech. After earning his undergraduate degree in psychology and health promotion from Appalachian State in 2013, McEntire received a mas- ter’s degree in instructional teaching from Virginia Tech in 2015. The Fairview, N.C. native was a two-time all-conference perform- er as a wide receiver and safety at A.C. Reynolds. He is married to the former Mary-Scott Barrack. Pete Nochta Director of Recruiting Operations Pete Nochta, is a former tight end and graduate assistant for the Cardinals, and now serves as a re- cruiting coordinator for the football program. Nochta served as the director of high school re- lations in 2018, director of on-campus recruiting for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, as well as a graduate assistant who served as the Tight End Position Coach in 2014. Nochta played for the Cardinals from 2006-10, where he was a member of the 2007 Orange Bowl squad. Nochta played in 41 games, making over 20 starts, recording 11 career receptions for 146 yards and a pair of scores. Nochta, who was a four-time All-BIG EAST Academic honoree and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, earned his undergraduate degree in business administration. As director of high school relations and director of on-campus recruiting, Nochta was responsible for the organization of all recruit- ing efforts and maintain relationships with coaches throughout the state of Kentucky. Prior to joining the recruiting staff, Nochta was the position coach for multiple players who have had an opportunity to play in the NFL from Louisville, including Cole Hikutini, Keith Towbridge, Charles Standberry and Gerald Christian. Also, at Western Kentucky Univer- sity Tyler Higbee, Mitchell Henry and Gabe Holmes at Purdue. In 2015, Nochta overcame a well-publicized bout with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and is currently in remission. Nochta’s wife, Alyssa was a UofL cheerleader from 2009-2012. He is the son of Gene and John Nochta and raised in Lexington, Ky. His father, John Nochta was a former KHSAA coach of the year in 1999-2000 when he was the head coach at Bryan Station, where he coached former Cardinals Eric Shelton, J.T. Haskins, and Robert Haskins. Josh Thompson Director of Football Operations Josh Thompson joined the Cardinals as the direc- tor of football operations in December of 2018. Thompson spent the last 10 years working at Ap- palachian State, his alma mater. A 2002 graduate, Thompson returned to Boone, N.C. in 2009 as the director of team services, overseeing the equipment operations for all 20 varsity sports programs. In September of 2014, Thompson was promoted to assistant athletics director for football and equipment operations, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of Appalachian State football and served as the program’s primary administrator and department liaison with official shoe and apparel supplier, Nike. Prior to returning to Appalachian State, Thompson served two years as the athletic equipment manager at Texas State and two years on the football equipment staff while earning a master’s degree in sport and fitness management at Troy. Thompson also spent time at Northwestern High School in his hometown of Rock Hill, S.C. working as equipment manager, assistant athletics administrator and junior-varsity girls basketball coach. Thompson and his wife, Lindsey, have a son, Jacob.Next >