Cincinnati Football: Bearcats hire former Louisville running backs coach De’Rail Sims

After adding three assistant coaches yesterday, the Bearcats are reportedly set to hire former Louisville running backs coach De’Rail Sims to remain on Scott Satterfield’s coaching staff.

Sims is the fifth assistant to follow Satterfield alongside defensive coordinator Bryan Brown, quarterbacks coach Pete Thomas, linebackers coach Derek Nicholson and several others.

Prior to joining Louisville, Sims worked at East Carolina, James Madison and Western Carolina. The South Carolina native started his coaching career at his alma mater Pikeville in 2009.

During two seasons under Satterfield, Sims helped Louisville recruit multiple elite prospects including 2023 5-star running back Rueben Owens and 2024 4-star running back Isaac Brown.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats hire former Louisville running backs coach De’Rail Sims

Even though the staff is still incomplete, Satterfield has done a good job of bringing in familiar assistants to help ease the transition period and Sims could end up being a significant addition.

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

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

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!

After leaving Louisville this week, Satterfield said he will not coach in the game against his former team in the upcoming Fenway Bowl on December 17.

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 a couple weeks.