< Previous2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL GoCards.com | @UofLFootball 109 MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW N ic Cardwell, a former qual- ity control assistant at Louisville, returns to the program as the offensive line coach for head coach Scott Satterfield. Cardwell joins the Louisville staff after two seasons coaching the offensive line at Appalachian State and will begin his seventh season coaching at the collegiate level. In 2021, under his tutelage, App State’s offensive line was one of 13 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, with Baer Hunter and Cooper Hodges both being named All- Sun Belt first-team selections and Anderson Hardy also receiving All-Sun Belt recogni- tion. The Mountaineers allowed an average of 1.21 sacks per game, which ranked 12th in the country and yielded just 4.2 tackles for loss per contest. Cardwell helped the Mountaineers rank No. 7 nationally with 264.9 rushing yards per game during a 9-3 season in 2020 and in the top 15 in fewest sacks allowed during a 2021 season in which Chase Brice set the single-season program record for passing yards and the Mountaineers extended their FBS-leading streak of consecutive seasons with a 1,000-yard back to 10. App State also finished with the Sun Belt’s rushing champion for the sixth straight year, with Nate Noel and Camerun Peoples ranking No. 2 and No. 3 in the league in rushing yards per game for an offense that averaged 34.5 points. Cardwell played for the Mountaineers from 2004-07 and worked seven years in various roles with App State’s football pro- gram, including the 2018 season as the tight ends coach, before following head coach Scott Satterfield to Louisville for one season. With a combined 174 career starts among its offensive linemen following a win in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, App State went through the 2020 season with the nation’s most experienced line. All five of the Mountaineers’ primary starters on the offensive line earned All-Sun Belt recogni- tion from PFF College, which ranked App State’s line as high as No. 3 in the nation during the 2020 season. The Mountaineers rushed for at least 300 yards in five games and had a whop- ping 500 rushing yards with no sacks allowed in the 56-28 bowl win against North Texas — the first time with 500 rush- ing yards since the 1975 team gained 575 yards on the ground against Lenoir-Rhyne. The work of center Noah Hannon (first- team All-Sun Belt), left guard Ryan Neuzil (second-team All-American), Hunter (first- team All-Sun Belt), Hodges (second-team All-Sun Belt) and Hardy helped Peoples set a school and NCAA bowl record with 317 rushing yards to go with five touch- down runs (tying a school and NCAA bowl record). Marcus Williams Jr. added 101 rush- ing yards, making them the 100-yard tandem with the second-most combined rushing yards (418) in a bowl game behind only a Baylor tandem with 460 in 2015. App State was also the only FBS team with more than seven rushes of 50-plus yards (the Mountaineers had 10) in 2020 and the only FBS team with more than four rushes of 60-plus yards (the Mountaineers had seven). In 2019, with Cardwell serving as a quality control coach at Louisville, the Car- dinals completed an 8-5 season with a vic- tory against Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl in Satterfield’s first season with the Cards. The previous year, while working on App State’s offensive staff, he helped the Mountaineers win the inaugural Sun Belt Championship Game and beat Middle Ten- nessee in the New Orleans Bowl to cap an 11-2 season. During the 2018 season, when App State averaged 37.3 points per game, Cardwell’s tight ends combined for five touchdown catches and contributed to the Mountaineers rushing for 240.4 yards per game. Collin Reed earned All-Sun Belt honors, and Henry Pearson was ranked by PFF College as the nation’s fifth-best true freshman tight end. He was promoted following a 2017 season in which he worked in an offensive quality control capacity for a 9-4 team at his alma mater and saw App State’s tight ends account for a combined seven receiv- ing touchdowns. Cardwell coached App State’s tight ends in 2018, when Ben Jorden made the All- Southern Conference first team, before returning to Boone as an assistant director of strength and conditioning in 2011 and coaching tight ends again in 2012. He worked with the Mountaineers’ tight ends as a graduate assistant from 2013-14 and coached the offensive line at North Green- ville from 2015-16. A former walk-on, Cardwell arrived at App State in 2003 and overcame a career- threatening neck injury to play in all 56 games for the Mountaineers from 2004-07. Four of his nine career receptions went for touchdowns, including FCS playoff scores against Coastal Carolina (2006 first round) and Richmond (two TDs in a 2007 semifinal). Cardwell’s ties to App State run deep, as he played tight end on the three FCS national championship teams and finished his career as a co-captain. A native of Kernersville, N.C., Cardwell graduated from App State in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Kira, have three children: Kai, Blakely and Brewer. NIC CARDWELL OFFENSIVE LINE SECOND SEASON Playing Experience A former walk-on, Cardwell arrived at App State in 2003 and overcame a career-threatening neck injury to play in all 56 games for the Mountaineers from 2004-07. Played tight end on the three FCS national championship teams and finished his career as a co-captain. Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Appalachian State (Criminal Justice, 2008 Wife: Kira Daughter: Blakely Sons: Kai, Brewer Louisville (2022-, 2019) Offensive Line (2022) Quality Control (2019) Appalachian State (2011-14, 2017-18, 2021) Offensive Line (2020-21) Tight Ends (2018) Quality Control (2017) Graduate Assistant (2013-14) Tight Ends (2012) Asst. Strength and Conditioning (2011) North Greenville (2015-16) Offensive Line About CardwellA young, up-and- coming coach, Greg Gasparato was hired to coach the safeties in February 2021, but will switch to the outside line- backers in 2022. In his first year with the Cardinals, Gasparato tutored safety Qwynnterrio Cole, who was named an All- ACC Honorable Mention and was invited to the NFL Combine. Cole was second on the team in tackles with 86 and was invited to play in the East-West Shrine contest. Gasparato joined the Cardinals after a successful 2020 season assisting as the co- defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Army. The Knights finished the year at 9-3, including a 15-0 win over Navy, winning the Commander in Chief’s Trophy. Under Gasparato’s influence, the Knights ranked first in the nation in total defense allowing 275.3 yards per game and were second against the pass at 160.8 yards per game. Army was also second in the country in scoring defense at 14.8 points per game and finished ninth with 16 interceptions. Prior to his one season at the Unit- ed States Military Academy, Gasparato coached the safeties at Appalachian State -- his second stint with the program. During the 2019 campaign, the Moun- taineer defense finished in the top 30 of the national statistical rankings, including in defensive touchdowns scored, third-down conversion percentage, takeaways, inter- ceptions, sacks, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense, tackles for loss yardage, yards allowed per play, total defense, rush- ing TDs allowed, fumble recoveries, rushing defense and TDs allowed. In helping assisting Appalachian State win the first Sun Belt Championship Game and capturing a fourth-straight bowl game in 2018, Gasparato had three safeties rec- ognized as All-Sun Belt selections by PFF College Football: Desmond Franklin, Austin Exford and Josh Thomas. The trio combined for nine interceptions in 2018 and were the three highest-graded safeties in the Sun Belt according to the PFF College site. Gasparato worked as a defensive gradu- ate assistant at App State from 2013-14 and spent 2015-17 as the inside linebackers coach at FCS power Wofford. He also coor- dinated the special teams unit. The Terriers won the Southern Con- ference, reached the FCS quarterfinals and finished 10-3 during a 2017 season where they ranked 26th nationally in total defense. They were fifth in total defense, 11th in rushing defense and 22nd in pass- ing defense during the 2016 season. Gasparato played safety at Wofford from 2005-08 and graduated in 2009 with a finance degree. He began his coaching career at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, S.C., in 2010, coached defen- sive backs at Juniata (Pa.) College in 2011 and coached outside linebackers at Brevard College in 2012. He became a graduate assistant at Appalachian State during the same year in which Scott Satterfield made his debut as the Mountaineers’ head coach. In his previous stop with the Mountain- eers, Gasparato assisted with App State’s linebackers while pursuing a master’s degree in educational media. Gasparato and his wife, Bria, have two sons, Dominick and Christian, and one daughter Mila. GREG GASPARATO OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS SECOND SEASON 2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL 110 GoCards.com | @UofLFootball MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW Playing Experience Played four seasons at Wofford Played at Wofford during the 2007 season in which shared the Southern Conference championship with App State. Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Wofford (Finance, 2009) Wife: Bria Daughter: Mila Sons: Dominick, Christian Louisville (2021-) Outside Linebackers (2022) Safeties Army (2020) Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Appalachian State (2018-19) Safeties Wofford (2015-17) Inside Linebackers/Special Teams Appalachian State (2013-14) Defensive Graduate Assistant/Linebackers Brevard College (2012) Outside Linebackers Juniata (Pa.) College (2011) Defensive Backs Richland Northeast (2010) (S.C.) High School Safeties/Special Teams About Gasparato2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL GoCards.com | @UofLFootball 111 MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW A n intense com- petitor and mas- ter motivator, Mark Ivey was named defensive line coach at the University of Louisville in January of 2019. Since joining the Louisville staff three seasons ago, Ivey has made an impact on the defensive front. He tutored true freshman Ashton Gillotte to record four sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss and Yaya Diaby recorded a personal best 39 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The long-time assistant coach pushed Jared Goldwire to produce his two best seasons in 2019-20, earning him a free- agent contract with the Los Angeles Char- gers. The 2020 campaign saw him record 35 tackles and a pair of sacks to earn him second team All-ACC accolades by the Associated Press. Coaching the defensive line in 2019, the Cardinals increased their sack total from 11 in 2018 to 27 with defensive lineman G.G. Robinson leading 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, guiding 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 record- ed 21 tackles. Ivey’s coaching development helped three walk-ons become regular con- tributors as part of a nine-man rotation. Before the 2018 season, Ivey was pro- moted to assistant head coach to coincide 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 Moun- taineers, 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 consecu- tive seasons. 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 Defensive 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 lineback- ers ranked among Appalachian State’s top eight in tackles. Despite not starting a game as a true freshman, Kennan 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 coordina- tor from 2012-14, Ivey oversaw a unit that led the SoCon with a 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 Mountain- eers 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 Bar- ron Collier, he led the Cougars to a 36-19 overall record and state playoff appearances in all five years. BCHS won three-straight district championships from 2007-09, dou- bling the number of district titles that the school had claimed in its first 29 years of existence. Ivey and his wife Rosa have three daugh- ters: Britini, Maggie, and Gabriella. MARK IVEY DEFENSIVE LINE FOURTH SEASON Playing Experience Appalachian State (Linebacker/ Defensive Lineman, 1991-95) Recorded 166 tackles in 47 games Started 12 games as a senior with 66 tackles, four sacks and eight TFL Helped App State to 11-0 record and Southern Conference Championship Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Appalachian State (Industrial Technology, 1996) Wife: Rosa (Drawdy) Daughters: Britini, Maggie, Gabriella Louisville (2019-) Assistant Coach (DL) Appalachian State (2012-18) Interim Head Coach (Dec. 4, 2018) Assistant Head Coach (DL) (2018) Assistant Coach (DL/ST)* (2014-17) Special Teams (2013)* 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 About IveyA veteran in the college coaching ranks, Wesley McGriff was named as the co- defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Cardinals in January 2022. A native of Tifton, Ga., McGriff comes to Louisville after one season at Florida where he served as the secondary coach. The Gators were one of the top teams against the pass, finishing 25th nationally with an average of 203.9 yards through the air. Before his stint at Florida, McGriff spent two seasons at Auburn in 2019 and 2020. Auburn’s defense ranked eighth nation- ally in both red-zone and third-down defense in 2019, allowing only 19.5 points per game against a schedule that featured six 11-win opponents. Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene was a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins and Daniel Thomas (Jack- sonville) was a fifth-round selection that season. McGriff served as defensive coordinator at Mississippi during the 2016-17 seasons, adding the title of associate head coach during his second season. During the 2016 campaign, McGriff guided a defense that included NFL draft picks Breeland Speaks (second round) and Marquis Haynes (fourth round); the pair combined for 14.5 sacks, and both earned second team all-SEC honors. Linebacker DeMarquis Gates had his biggest season, registering 114 tackles, the most by a Rebel in a single season since 2006. In 2017, sophomore linebacker Mohamed Sanogo was fourth in the SEC with 112 tackles and joined Gates in 2017 as the only two Ole Miss defenders with 100+ tackles in the previous 12 seasons. McGriff spent three seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, working with the defensive backs. In his first two seasons, McGriff oversaw the development of safe- ties Rafael Bush, Kenny Vaccaro and Pierre Warren and cornerback Terrence Frederick, while also depending on safety Jairus Byrd and cornerback Keenan Lewis, who led the Saints with 13 passes defended, while add- ing two interceptions. Vaccaro led the New Orleans secondary with 113 tackles. In his first season in New Orleans, the Saints ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense (305.7 ypg.), second in opponent passing yards per game (194.1 ypg.) and fourth in scoring defense (19.0 ppg.), post- ing an 11-5 record and advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs. McGriff spent 2012 as co-defensive coordinator/ cornerbacks at Ole Miss, which finished second in the SEC and in the top 15 in the NCAA in tackles for a loss (7.7) and sacks per game (2.8). Linebacker Den- zel Nkemdiche was named to the FWAA All-America and SEC all-freshman teams, defensive tackle Isaac Gross earned confer- ence all-freshman honors and was named to the CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-America team and safety Trae Elston was named to the ESPN SEC all-freshman team. McGriff spent the 2011 season as defensive backs coach/recruiting coordi- nator at Vanderbilt, where he helped the Commodores to only their fifth all-time bowl appearance. His secondary produced 12 interceptions (three returned for TD). McGriff helped Green Bay Packer Casey Hayward become the first Vanderbilt All- American in four years, posting seven inter- ceptions, the third-highest season total ever by a Commodore. McGriff spent four seasons as the sec- ondary coach at Miami (Fla.). In 2010, the Hurricanes ranked second in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 164.3 yards per game; the Miami defense ranked 16th nationally and 21st in scoring defense. In 2009, he tutored All-America defensive back Brandon Harris, seven-year NFL veter- an safety Kenny Phillips (2007 All-American and first round NFL draft pick) and Green Bay defensive back Sam Shields. McGriff served as the defensive backs coach/recruit- ing coordinator at Baylor from 2003-06 and enjoyed his first SEC stint at Kentucky from 2001-02. He spent 2000 as the secondary coach at Eastern Kentucky where he mentored all- Ohio Valley Conference DB Yeremiah Bell, who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round in 2003. From 1995-99, McGriff served in multiple roles including assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Kentucky State and was named the AFCA’s NCAA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Savannah State, from 1990-94. Starting as a graduate assistant, McGriff tutored running backs before coaching the secondary in 1991 and later serving as defensive coordinator and interim head coach. McGriff started at linebacker for Savan- nah State from 1987-89 and was named the conference’s 1989 Male Academic Ath- lete of the Year. He received his bachelor’s degree while graduating cum laude in 1990 and earned a master’s in public administra- tion from Georgia Southern in 1993. McG- riff was commissioned as a second lieuten- ant in the U.S. Army in 1990 and was a member of the Army Reserves until 2001. WESLEY M c GRIFF SECONDARY FIRST SEASON 2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL 112 GoCards.com | @UofLFootball MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW Playing Experience Started at linebacker for Savannah State from 1987-89 and was named the conference’s 1989 Male Academic Athlete of the Year. Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Savannah State (Criminal Justic, 1990; Master’s Degree: Georgia Southern (Public Administration, 1993) Wife: Karen Son: Jaylen Florida (2021) Secondary Auburn (2019-21) Defensive Backs Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary (2016) Mississippi (2016-18) Assocciate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks (2012) New Orleans Saints (2013-15) Defensive Backs Vanderbilt (2011) Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Miami (Fla.) (2007-10) Defensive Backs Baylor (2003-06) Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator Kentucky (2001-02) Running Backs (2001) Secondary (2002) Eastern Kentucky (2000) Secondary Kentucky State (1995-99) Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Savannah State (1990-94) Graduate Assistant/Secondary/ Defensive Coordinator/ Interim Head Coach About McGriff2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL GoCards.com | @UofLFootball 113 MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW D erek Nicholson was added to the staff in January of 2020 as the inside linebackers coach for the Cardinals. Nicholson tutored linebacker C.J. Avery to lead the team in tackles in each of his first two seasons, and also saw the linebacker earn all-ACC hon- orable mention honors in 2021. The first season saw Nicholson make an immediate impact at the inside linebacker position. He guided Monty Montgomery to his best season, leading the team in sacks for the second consecutive season, while his counterpart Dorian Etheridge inked a free- agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Nicholson came to Louisville for the second time after spending four seasons at Southern Mississippi – two seasons coach- ing the defensive line and serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He spent the 2014 season at the University of Louisville, coaching outside linebackers/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., assist- ed with a defense that led Conference 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 earn an appear- ance 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 lineback- ers in 2018, the Golden Eagles estab- lished themselves as 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 Confer- ence 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 at Akron, coaching linebackers in 2013, developing a pair linebackers that earned 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 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two defensive touchdowns, and was named to the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Watch Lists in 2008. Nicholson led the Seminoles in tackles for two consecutive seasons, recording 99 in 2007 and 81 during the 2008 campaign. He recorded 15.5 tackles for loss 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 mem- ber of the All-ACC academic team during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Nicholson earned his undergraduate degree in sport management in just three years while at FSU. 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 the USA National Team, have three children: Alana, Dace and Amaya. DEREK NICHOLSON INSIDE LINEBACKERS SECOND SEASON Playing Experience 4-year letterman (2005-2008) and 3-year starter (2006-2008) at Florida State) One of four players to lead the team in tackles in back to back seasons during the Bowden Era Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Florida State (Sports Management, 2008) Wife: Onnie Daughters: Alana, Amaya Son: Dace Louisville (2020-) Inside Linebackers Southern Miss (2016-19) Co-Def. Coordinator/ Linebackers (2018-19) Defensive Line (2016-17) Alcorn State (2015-16) Defensive Line Louisville (2014-15) Graduate Assistant Akron (2013-14) Graduate Assistant About NicholsonD e’Rail Sims was hired to coach the running backs at the University of Lou- isville in January 2021. In his first season with the Cards, Sims tutored a running back group that accounted for 1,622 yards and nine scores, with Jalen Mitchell leading the unit with 722 yards and five touchdowns. The Cardinals fin- ished 18th nationally in rushing averaging 212.9 yards per game and accounted for 29 touchdowns, which ranked 25th nationally. Before joining the UofL staff, Simbserved as a running backs coach at East Carolina where he mentored AAC Rookie of the Year Rahjai Harris. In 2019, Sims was selected to participate in the American Football Coaches Associa- tion 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Insti- tute in 2019. He coached Harris to earn first team all-league honors after rushing for 628 yards and four touchdowns during an eight- game season and helped guide the running backs to its highest rushing total since 2014. Before joining the ECU staff, Sims coached three seasons at James Madison where his teams combined for a 28-2 record and were 2017 FCS Runners-Up to pair with the 2016 national title. In leading the Dukes to unprecedented success, Sims oversaw a rushing attack that ranked fourth nationally in rushing touch- downs (108), 6th in rushing yards (9,422) and 13th in rushing yards per game (219.1) over his three-year term. In 2018, Sims was instrumental in help- ing JMU’s offense net 2,383 rushing yards (183.3 ypg), which stood fourth in the Colo- nial Athletic Association and 45th nation- ally and was 25th nationally with 194.3 rushing yards per game in 201, turning in a pair of 400-plus-yard outings (472 vs. Nor- folk State, 410 vs. ECU) and accounted for at least three ground scores in five contests. The 2016 season the Dukes rush for a CAA-record 4,125 rushing yards and held FCS ranks of second in scoring (46.7 ppg), fourth in third-down conversions (50.0 per- cent), fifth in rushing average (275.0 ypg) and sixth in fewest fumbles lost (4). His unit turned in 18 individual 100-yard rushing performances, including 11 by All-America selection and Sports Network FCS National Player-of-the-Year Khalid Abdullah, who finished the season with 1,809 yards and 22 TDs – both school single-season records. Sims spent three seasons at Western Carolina (2013-15) as the Catamounts’ run- ning back coach and director of player development where he directed a pair of WCU running backs to All-Southern Con- ference honors – Detrez Newsome and Darius Ramsey. He earned an invitation to participate in the NCAA & NFL Coaches Academy in 2014, which is conducted by the NCAA Leadership Development staff and NFL Player Engagement and was also selected to the AFCA’s prestigious 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. Prior to his time at Western Carolina, Sims was the running backs coach and video coordinator at Carson-Newman in 2012, guiding the Eagles to a 9-3 record and the NCAA II playoffs before finishing the campaign with a nation-leading 380.0 rushing average and 52 ground scores. Sims began his full-time collegiate coaching career at Millersville (2010) before returning to alma mater Pikeville a year later. The Union, S.C. native was a two-year starter at Pikeville, where he played from 2006-08 before joining the coaching staff as a student assistant (working with the line- backers). He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Pikeville in 2010. Sims and his wife, Lauren, have two daughter, Amayah and Alivia. DE’RAIL SIMS RUNNING BACKS SECOND SEASON 2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL 114 GoCards.com | @UofLFootball MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW Playing Experience Two-year starter at Pikeville, where he played from 2006-08 before joining the coaching staff as a student assistant (working with the linebackers). Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Pikeville (History and Political Science, 2010 Wife: Lauren Daughters: Amayah and Alivia Louisville (2021) Running Backs East Carolina (2018-20) Running Backs James Madison (2016-18) Running Backs Western Carolina (2013-16) Running Backs Carson-Newman (2012-13) Running Backs Pikeville (2011-12) Running Backs Outside/Inside Linebackers (2009-10) Millersville (2010-11) Running Backs/Tight Ends About Sims2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL GoCards.com | @UofLFootball 115 MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW J osh Stepp was named tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at the Louisville in 2022. Stepp joins the UofL staff after six sea- sons at Georgia State, where he coached tight ends and running backs before he was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January. Stepp was a key member of the offensive staff that produced record-setting units, leading the Panthers to four straight winning seasons and bowl berths. He helped the GSU offense produce the top three scoring figures in program history and three of the top four total offense marks over the last three years. During that time, the Panthers set school records for scoring (33.3 ppg in 2020), touchdowns (53 in 2019), total offense (439.8 ypg in 2019) and rushing offense (241.6 ypg). Stepp assisted with a running game that ranked in the top 10 nationally. During the 2021 season, Georgia State ranked No. 8 in FBS in rushing at 226.4 yards per game, the second-best mark in school history, while winning a school-record eight games and posting a 51-20 win over Ball State in the Taxact Camellia Bowl. In his first five seasons at GSU, Stepp primarily coached the tight ends but also worked with running backs and served as recruiting coordinator in 2020. Under Stepp, tight ends Roger Carter and Aubry Payne combined for five All-Sun Belt Conference Awards in three years and were key weapons in both the running game and passing attack. Carter is the Panthers’ career leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end, while Payne has the tight end record for touchdown catches. Formerly the head football coach and athletic director at Lexington (S.C.) High School, Stepp joined the Georgia State staff in 2017. He coached both running backs and tight ends in his first year, including All-Sun Belt Conference all-purpose back Glenn Smith, and then focused on the tight ends beginning in 2018. In 2019, Stepp was chosen for the American Football Coaches Association 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. In four seasons at Lexington High, Stepp posted a 36-17 record from 2013-16, despite inheriting a program that had gone 3-8 the year before he arrived. The Wildcats posted winning records and reached at least the second round of the playoffs in each of his four seasons. The highlight of his tenure came in 2015, when he led his squad to a 13-game winning streak and a berth in the state championship game. Along the way, Lex- ington knocked off top-seeded and nation- ally-ranked Spartanburg to advance to the Class 4A, Division II state finals for the first time in 15 years. Stepp was honored as 4A Lower State Coach of the Year and Region V Coach of the Year. He began his coaching career as an assis- tant at Pelion (S.C.) High School, his alma mater, in 2007 and continued with assistant coaching assignments at Blythewood High (2008) and Spring Valley High, where he served as offensive coordinator in 2009. Stepp earned his first head coaching position at Dreher High School, where he coached three seasons (2010-12) before taking over as head coach and athletic director at Lexington. He led Dreher to an 8-2 mark in 2012 for the school’s best sea- son in more than a decade. A three-sport standout at Pelion, includ- ing all-state honors in football and baseball, Stepp began his college career at Furman. He transferred to Newberry (S.C.) College and enjoyed a record-setting three-year career at quarterback (2004-06), includ- ing All-America and National Player of the Week honors. He finished as New- berry’s all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions, and he was recently inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Pelion High School Hall of Fame. Stepp graduated cum laude from New- berry in 2007 with a B.S. degree in physical education and then added a master’s in education from the University of Phoenix. Stepp and his wife Caryn have four daughters: Rilee Hope, Emma Paisley, Had- ley James, and Blakely Ryanne. JOSH STEPP TIGHT ENDS FIRST SEASON Playing Experience A three-sport standout at Pelion, including all-state honors in football and baseball. Enjoyed a record-setting three-year career at quarterback (2004-06), including All-America honors at Newberry. Finished as Newberry’s all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. Recently inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Pelion High School Hall of Fame. Personal Bachelor’s Degree: Newberry (Physical Education, 2007) Wife: Caryn Daughters: Rilee, Paisley, Hadley and Blakely Louisville (2022-) Tight Ends Georgia State (2017-22) Offensive Coordinator (2022) Running Backs (2017-2021) Lexington High (2013-16) Head Coach Dreher High (2010-12) Head Coach About SteppA n up-and com- ing recruiter and quarterback techni- cian, Pete Thomas was elevated to quarter- backs coach in Janu- ary 2021. Thomas was cho- sen to the American Football Coaches Association’s 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. He was also one of just 35 to be recognized on the annual list out of over 200 nominees. The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Lead- ership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing pre- mier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, eth- ics, influential responsibilities, career pro- gression, and family balance. Thomas’ first season saw quarterback Malik Cunningham elevate his game to a different level. The signal caller became the second quarterback in school history to rush for 1,000 yards and also passed for 2,941 yards and 19 touchdowns. Thomas has worked the last two years on Satterfield’s staff at Louisville as an offensive quality control coach. He assisted the last two seasons assisting the offensive line and was tabbed a 247Sports’ 2019 30-under-30 honoree as one of the top up-and-coming young coaches in college football. The native of San Diego, Calif., has played an integral role in guiding a resur- gence in the offense becoming one of only four schools in the country that has aver- aged both 200 yards rushing and passing over the last two seasons. In 2020, the Cardinals averaged 444.2 yards per game, including 200.0 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. During the 2019 campaign, Thomas pro- vided guidance to former offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, who was the No. 11 selec- tion in the NFL Draft and translated that into a successful first season with the New York Jets. Thomas assisted the offensive staff in game planning and was a key component in allowing the Cardinals to average 445.9 yards per game since Satterfield took over the program in 2019. Before joining the Louisville staff, Thom- as spent the previous two seasons work- ing under Scott Satterfield at Appalachian State, as an offensive graduate assistant in 2017 and offensive quality control coach in 2018. He also served as the interim quar- terbacks coach – calling the plays -- for the 2018 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, which the Mountaineers won 45-13 over Middle Tennessee. Thomas spent a spring at Texas A&M Kingsville in addition to work at his alma mater Valhalla High School in El Cajon, Calif. A quarterback during his playing career, Thomas started for three different FBS pro- grams. His collegiate career began at Colo- rado State, where he started 21 games over the 2010-11 seasons. Thomas transferred to North Carolina State and redshirted the 2012 season before making six starts in 2013. He then closed out his collegiate career in 2014 at Louisiana Monroe. For his career, Thomas threw for more than 9,000 yards and 36 touchdowns, completing 61.7 percent of his passes. Thomas, who graduated from NC State in 2014 with his bachelor’s degree in com- munications, played one season for the Los Angeles Kiss of the Arena Football League, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 43 touchdowns. PETE THOMAS QUARTERBACKS SECOND SEASON 2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL 116 GoCards.com | @UofLFootball MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW Playing Experience Attended San Diego Chargers and New York Giants Mini-Camps(Quarterback, 2015) Louisiana-Monroe (Quarterback, 2014) NC State (Quarterback, 2012-13) Colorado State (Quarterback, 2010-11) Personal Bachelor’s Degree: NC State (Communications, 2014) Masters Degree: Appalachian State (Educational Media, 2018); Texas A&M Kingsville (2017); Louisiana-Monroe (Kinesiology – Sports and Recreation), 2014 Louisville (2019-) Quarterbacks (2021-) Quality Control (2019-20) Appalachian State (2017-18) Interim Quarterback Coach (Dec. 2018) Quality Control (2018) Offensive Graduate Assistant (2017) Texas A&M Kingsville (2017) Offensive Graduate Assistant Valhalla High School (Calif.) (2015-16) Quarterbacks/ Passing Game Coordinator About ThomasSUPPORT STAFF 2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL GoCards.com | @UofLFootball 117 MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEW Deion Branch Director of Player Development Former University of Louisville and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, Deion Branch was named the Director of Player Development at his alma mater. Branch, who’s No. 9 jersey is one of UofL’s Honored Jerseys, played for the Cardinals from 2000-01. In those two sea- sons, Branch’s numbers rank up there with some of the finest wide receivers in school history. He totaled 143 passes for 2,204 yards and 18 touchdowns. He stands seventh all-time in receiving yards with 2,204, ninth with 143 receptions and tied for fourth with 18 touchdowns. Coming from Jones County Junior College, Branch registered his best season in 2001 when he caught 72 passes for 1,188 (fifth-best in school history) and nine scores to earn first team All-Conference USA honors. That season, Branch recorded seven 100-yard games, including a nine-catch, 174-yard performance versus Illinois. The previous season, Branch earned first-team all-league honors for the second-straight year after catching 71 passes for 1,016 yards and nine scores. He caught eight passes for 194 yards (sixth-most in school history) and a score versus Cincinnati. After helping the Cardinals win two C-USA Championships, Branch was selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Branch played 12 seasons in the NFL --- seven with the New England Patriots and five with the Seattle Seahawks. He totaled 518 receptions for 6,644 yards and 39 touchdowns in 12 seasons, with his best year coming in 2005 when he totaled 78 receptions for 998 yards and five scores with the Patriots. While with the Patriots, Branch was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXIX, after tying former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice and former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Dan Ross for the Super Bowl reception record with 11 catches for 133 yards in the Patriots’ Super Bow victory. He was the first receiver to win the award since 1989 when Jerry Rice had his 11-catch game. A native of Albany, Ga., Branch made his name in the post-sea- son, totaling 21 receptions in two Super Bowls (XXXVIII, XXXIX). He recorded a game-high 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touch- down in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Carolina Panthers. A graduate of Louisville, Branch is married to Shela and has two daughters and two sons. Jacob Brandon Quality Control Jacob Brandon was elevated to a quality control position in 2021 after serving one season as the team’s graduate assistant, coaching the outside linebackers. Prior to joining the UofL staff, Brandon spent three seasons as a graduate assis- tant coach at Georgia Southern where he tutored the outside linebackers. The Eagles finished third in total defense in the Sun Belt Conference in 2019 and won the 2018 Ray- com Camellia Bowl championship team. Brandon coached three seasons as a graduate assistant at Appa- lachian State from 2015-2017, helping the Mountaineers win two Sun Belt Championships and a pair of bowl wins. A 2018 graduate of Appalachian State, Brandon earned a bach- elor’s degree in education with a minor in coaching. He earned a master’s degree from Georgia Southern in coaching education in 2019 and is working toward a master’s from UofL in criminal jus- tice. Brandon is married to the former Ciara Gentry. Clay Colvin Recruiting Coordinator for Creative Media Colvin joined the University of Lou- isville athletics department as a graphic designer in May of 2021 before being el- evated to a recruiting coordinator position in April. Last season, Colvin served as the depart- ment’s main graphic designer, putting out all the football program’s social media graphics. Prior to Louisville, Colvin spent a year as a Football Creative Coordinator for Eastern Michigan University. In this role, he was responsible for the creation and distribution of graphics and other multimedia content with the purpose of informing and engaging fans and prospective recruits over various social media platforms. Colvin started his career at the Division I level with a graphic design internship in West Point with the Army football program. The Springfield, Ohio native played offensive line for the Univer- sity of Findlay, where he graduated with a degree in Digital Market- ing and a minor in Graphic Design in 2019. Ed Connell Equipment Manager Ed Connell is in his third as the equip- ment manager for the football program. Before overseeing the football opera- tions, Connell spent 14 years as the assis- tant equipment manager and also worked as a student assistant. Prior to that, Connell worked with base- ball, golf, rowing, field hockey, lacrosse and men’s and women’s tennis. Before returning to the Cardinals, Connell spent three seasons at the United States Naval Academy as the assistant equipment man- ager. A graduate of Louisivlle, Connell earned a degree in sociology in 2004. He’s married to Mandy and the couple has daughter, Harper.Larry Dace Graduate Assistant Larry Dace is in his first season as a graduate assistant on the offensive side of the football at Louisville. Before joining the Louisville staff, Dace spent one season at Tulane as the offensive graduate assistant working with the wide receivers and working as a recruiting as- sistant. Prior top that, Dace worked as the wide receivers and special teams coach and also served as the Director of Football Operations at Louisiana College, organizing the day to day football operations and coordinating all travel. Dace served three seasons as the wide receivers and special teams coach at Franklin Pierce. A 2017 graduate from Tulane, Dace earned a degree in business marketing and business management. Curtis Finch Graduate Assistant Curtis Finch is in his second season as an offensive graduate assistant at Lou- isville. He has worked primarily with the quarterbacks during his time with the Car- dinals. Finch entered the coaching ranks as an offensive graduate assistant at East Caro- lina in 2018-20, working with the quarterbacks and running backs. Collegiately, Finch played four seasons as a quarterback at Ap- palachian State, where he earned a degree in business administra- tion in 2017. Caleb Fuller Graduate Assistant Caleb Fuller begins his second season as a graduate assistant on the defensive line. Fuller began his coaching career with the Cardinals, working in the sales field. Prior to venturing out in the business field, Fuller was an accomplished football player at Appalachian State. A four-year letterwinner, Fuller was a third-team All-Sun Belt defensive lineman and a 2013-14 member of the Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll. A native of Lillian, Texas, Fuller, who is married to Madison, earned a degree in exercise science in 2017. Grant Gourley Graduate Assistant Grant Gourley is in his first season as a graduate assistant on defense for Louis- ville. A graduate of Louisville, Gourley be- gan his coaching career at his alma mater working in the football office. He started his collegiate career as a recruiting intern before transitioning as a student assistant for the last two seasons. John Herron Recruiting Coordinator John Herron was named Recruiting Co- ordinator for head coach Scott Satterfield in May of 2021. Herron joined the Louisville staff from Florida, where he had served in the recruit- ing department for the last seven years. Most recently, Herron functioned as the Assistant Director of Player Personnel and the Director of Recruit- ing for the last four seasons before working as the Director of On- Campus Recruiting from 2016-18. While on the Gators’ staff, Herron organized recruiting events for prospective student-athletes and worked closely with the social media team to enhance social media outreach. During his time at UF, Herron was influential in adding signifi- cant recruits to the roster. During his first season on staff, Herron helped ink the No. 9 ranked recruiting class in the nation, which catapulted the Gators to three New Year’s Six Bowl appearances. Herron also had a hand in signing NFL draft picks: CJ Henderson, Marco Wilson, TJ Slaton, Shaw Davis, KT Toney, James Houston, and Zach Carter. While with the Gators, Herron was able to secure the signings of five-star prospects: Jason Marshall, Corey Collier, Lorenzo Lingard, and Justin Shorter. Prior to serving at Florida, Herron served as the Director of Re- cruiting and High School Relations at Florida State from 2018-19, where he helped ink the nation’s No. 19 recruiting class. Herron has a son, Justin. SUPPORT STAFF 2022 LOUISVILLE FOOTBALL 118 GoCards.com | @UofLFootball MEDIA TEAM COACHES REVIEW HONORS PROS RECORDS U OF L PREVIEWNext >