Moments ago, Scott Satterfield lost another assistant coach, making it the second coach to leave for a new position this offseason.
247’s Matt Zenitz reported that Bearcats running back coach De’Rail Sims is on his way to Knoxville, Tennessee to become the Volunteers new running backs coach. However, it now appears that Scott Satterfield will be looking for a new running back coach with spring ball quickly approaching.
For those wondering, Sims was the lead recruiter for 2025 four star running back Zion Johnson. Johnson, announced his pledge to the Bearcats two weeks ago and was the highest member of the 2025 recruiting class to date.
The Bearcats biggest strength a season ago was their high-powered rushing attack, which ranked top five nationally in that statical category. Now, it all started with junior running back Corey Kiner, who led the Bearcats with 1,047 yards and five touchdowns.
Sims played a vital role in Kiner’s success over the last year, as Kiner averaged a career high 5.5 yards per carry on 192 rushing attempts as a junior. For Kiner, he was looking to improve off a stellar junior season as he gears up for his senior season, but the Bearcats started running back will now be with his fourth running backs coach in as many years.
The Bearcats rushed the ball for 2,605 yards on 517 attempts, where they averaged nearly 217 rushing yards per game, which adds up to be roughly 5.07 yards per carry. Two of the four schools ahead of them in rushing a season ago, were familiar foes in West Virginia (3rd), and Central Florida (4th).
Now for Satterfield, I expect him to take the same approach he took when the Bearcats went through this process not too long ago after former defensive coordinator Bryan Brown left for his alma mater in Ole Miss back in January. Although, Satterfield will have to act quick in the process with spring camp quickly approaching in the upcoming weeks.
