Cincinnati Football: Pete Thomas, Derek Nicholson join the Bearcats coaching staff

Bearcats head coach Scott Satterfield continues to fill out his coaching staff, bringing over several assistants from Louisville including quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson.

In addition to former Cardinals defensive coordinator Bryan Brown joining the Bearcats staff, there are at least five other assistant coaches that are expected to follow Satterfield to Cincinnati.

Thomas was originally hired as an offensive assistant coach by Satterfield at Appalachian State in 2018 before making the move to Louisville and getting promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2021.

Nicholson was a standout linebacker at Florida State from 2006-2007 and spent two years in the NFL before being hired by Louisville as outside linebackers and defensive ends coach in 2014.

Cincinnati Football: Pete Thomas, Derek Nicholson join the Bearcats coaching staff

Other coaches that are reportedly going to leave Louisville alongside Satterfield include offensive line coach Nic Cardwell, recruiting coordinator Carter Wilson and chief of staff Mark Speir.

Cardwell played tight end at Appalachian State under Satterfield and coached multiple positions at his alma mater before joining Louisville’s staff as an offensive quality control coach in 2019.

After being defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Appalachian State and Louisville for over a decade, Brown is expected to stay on Satterfield’s coaching staff as they head to Cincinnati.

Satterfield is open to retaining Cincinnati interim head coach and special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs according to the Bearcat Journal but it’s currently unclear what position he would take on.

The 49-year-old head coach explained he will focus on recruiting and putting his coaching staff together as Coombs remains in charge for the Fenway Bowl matchup against Louisville in just a couple weeks.

There will be plenty of changes to the program as it welcomes a brand new coach. Check out our break down of the Bearcats decision to hire Satterfield and what to expect from the team moving forward!