Deion Branch, former Louisville wide receiver, tabbed to coach in bowl game vs. Cincinnati
Deion Branch couldn’t have imagined being the head coach for the University of Louisville football team, even if it will be for just one game.
“I think this is crazy,” he said.
The former U of L and NFL wide receiver will coach the Cardinals in their Dec. 17 bowl game after Scott Satterfield was named the new head coach at Cincinnati on Monday.
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U of L will face Cincinnati in the Fenway Bowl in Boston. Satterfield said during his introductory news conference in Cincinnati he will not coach the bowl game and will focus on assembling his staff — some of whom he said will come from Louisville — and recruiting.
“I’m not a head coach,” Branch said during a news conference Monday afternoon. “But I know one thing — I can lead guys. That’s one thing I will do. I’ll give this team everything I have.”
Branch, 43, played at U of L for two seasons (2000-01) before his professional run with New England and Seattle from 2002-12. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, helping the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.
Branch has limited coaching experience. He coached wide receivers and special teams at Carmel (Ind.) High School last year and was named U of L’s director of player development in January.
U of L athletic director Josh Heird said Branch will not be a candidate for the permanent job.
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“His wife has actually told me that is not an option,” Heird said with a smile. “Her exact text was, ‘You can have him for two weeks.’
“For me, it was who could be dedicated to the guys in the locker room, unequivocally, for the next two weeks? While there is a very good staff and we have some very good assistant coaches, I think the one guy who could without a doubt give every minute over the next two weeks to the guys in that locker room, that was Deion.
“He’s in a position where he doesn’t have to worry about what his future looks like. Those 10 assistants, they do have to worry about that.”
Branch said he was excited and honored to get the opportunity but admitted he had few answers about who would call plays and other questions regarding the bowl game.
“The main objective is to go win the game,” Branch said. “We’re not just going out there to play the game just because. … I’m surrounded by amazing assistant coaches, amazing guys. They will do a great job for this bowl prep.”
Branch said he’ll seek advice from several coaches, including Deion Sanders, the former NFL star who was named the head coach at the University of Colorado on Sunday.
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“Deion Sanders will be the first one I call,” Branch said. “He was hired two or three days ago, and now I get an interim head coaching positions? This is great for all the Deions. All the Deions in today’s world, this is going to be amazing for the rest of the young men.”
Branch’s No. 9 is one of U of L’s honored jerseys. His 72 catches and 1,188 receiving yards in 2001 both rank fifth in program history for a single season. His nine touchdown catches in both 2000 and 2001 are tied for seventh for a single season.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Deion Branch to coach Louisville football in bowl vs. Cincinnati
