Satterfield departure marks key moment for Shane Beamer
Sources: Nebraska is close to hiring South Carolina OC Marcus Satterfield as the school’s new offensive coordinator. Satterfield worked with Matt Rhule at Temple, Baylor and the Carolina Panthers. South Carolina’s offense scored 94 points in wins over Tennessee and Clemson.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 28, 2022
Head coach Shane Beamer is at a crossroads where he has to get this next hire right. The fanbase was frothy to the say the least after Florida, but two weeks, 94 points and snapping a 7-game losing streak against your instate rival cures a lot.
The question is does he take a big swing, open the pocket book and try to get a big time name, or mine the Group of 5 to find a coach who can work with less than elite talent and take a chance on it translating?
Or is the answer already on staff?
It has worked to some effect with defensive coordinator Clayton White coming from Western Kentucky. Also, does he stick with this pro-style scheme, or does it change face and go more in a spread or RPO based offense?
Garrett Riley, Texas Christian offensive coordinator
Riley will be a name on a lot of lists, fielding a top 10 offense and averaging 40 points per game. The brother of Southern Cal head coach Lincoln Riley, Garrett Riley has been an up and coming name the last few years.
Carolina would likely have to open its checkbook and make Riley a million-dollar plus offer. They would also likely have to fend off head coaching offers.
Call this one a longshot, but its a phone call you make and make him tell you no. If you do land him, it might also only be for a year. You also have to wonder if he would want to bring an assistant or two with him.
You could also look at co-OC and offensive line coach AJ Ricker for this spot as well. That would mean firing offensive line coach Greg Adkins and still needing to find a QB coach.
Mark Whipple, Nebraska offensive coordinator
Don't let the mess fired head coach Scott Frost left in Nebraska taint your view of Whipple. He spent eight seasons in the NFL and was key in the development of QB Kenny Pickett at Pittsburgh, winning an ACC championship in 2021.
Whipple runs a pro-style system, which Beamer appears to be set on running, so the personnel being recruited fit. Carolina would have to open the pocket book for Whipple, who currently makes $875K/year, so likely looking at a million dollars. At 65, you do wonder how many years Whipple wants to coach.
With Matt Rhule bringing in Satterfield to coach QBs, it likely means Whipple is out of a job.
Mike Shanahan, James Madison offensive coordinator
It can't be understated how unexpected James Madison's debut in the Sunbelt has been this season, averaging nearly 35 points per game, best for 22nd in NCAA.
The issue is Shanahan has always coached receivers, where Carolina already has a coach in Justin Stepp. Can Shanahan coach QBs, or would this move mean replacing Stepp and having to find a QB coach?
Shanahan may also be a candidate for head coaching jobs.
Shanahan is reportedly making $62,000 this year, making him likely the most price friendly hire.
Ben Arbuckle, Western Kentucky offensive coordinator
Beamer found success getting defensive coordinator Clayton White from Western Kentucky, and might want to look to the Hills again.
The Hilltoppers haven't missed a beat in Arbuckle's first season at the helm taking over for Will Kittley. Averaging close to 38 points per game, Arbuckle has shown he can work with less than elite talent, and craft a solid gameday strategy.
Warren Ruggiero, Wake Forest offensive coordinator
Ruggiero has slowly helped build Wake Forest into a formidable offense under head coach Dave Clawson. Averaging nearly 37 points per game, the Demon Deacons have consistently been one of the better offenses in the ACC the last decade.
Much like Arbuckle, Ruggiero can work with less than elite talent and create a scheme that hides deficiencies. The question here is can he recruit to the level needed to compete in the SEC, and can he do it without Clawson.
Ruggiero is reported to have a salary around a half-million dollars, so Carolina would likely have to offer close a million.
Will Stein, UTSA co-offensive coordinator
For the last few season UT-San Antonio has been a juggernaut on offense. Stein is in his first season as Co-OC and things haven't slipped, averaging shy of 40 points per game while fielding a top 15 offense.
The question with Stein is much like with Ruggiero: Can he do it on his own, in this case, without the oversight of head coach Jeff Traylor (who is destined for a bigger coaching job).
While his current salary isn't readily available, he was making $92,000 the year before becoming co-OC, so you imagine he would come at a friendly price tag.
Freddie Kitchens, South Carolina senior analyst
Kitchens comes with an NFL pedigree and made the Brown respectable. Rumor swirled the final two weeks that it wasn't Satterfield calling plays, but a phantom member of the staff. Believe that if you want, I'm sure that mystery will never be solved, if it is a mystery at all.
This likely wouldn't electrify the fanbase.
A mop with a bucket for head
Let's be honest, Beamer likely already has a name in mind, and no amount of me shaking a magic 8-ball, utilization of a Ouija board or asking my two dogs what their cousins twice removed who know a guy will likely devolve the magic combination.
These are all outright guesses, like most you will read.
Enjoy the ride, and support whoever is hired. You never know, they could be the one.
Or we'll all be right back here in two years saying how Beamer is an idiot/genius and will make another hire.
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