Probably the biggest offseason news in Boone was the return of Scott Satterfield. Credited with engineering the offensive firepower of Histor3, he left the program in ’08 to walk the earth … walk from place to place, meet people, get in adventures.
Actually, he went two places – Toledo and Florida International. One year in the first, two in the second.
When the ‘Whee raided the App State coaching cubboard and Coach Moore cut some staff, the favorite son was welcomed home.
Hosannas. Rose petals. The works! We’re back, baby!
He got his old job, but with a much flashier title – “New coach in waiting.”
All without a Satterfield Era III down being played.
The euphoria is understandable when you consider how the App State offense performed last season.
In 2008, App State was fourth nationally in total offense (463.4 yards a game) and fifth in scoring (37.3), thanks in great part to the eighth-best ground game in the country (229.3).
The offense was almost just as potent in ’09 and ’10 (top 12 nationally in all three categories), but last year seemed to comparatively tank – 38th in total offense (390.2) and scoring (28.7), and 55th in rushing (155.8).
And most everyone knows why – playcalling.
Will the Satterfield magic return this season? The best gauge to consider is how he did at the FBS level.
Here are some stats from his two stops, with the year prior to his arrival, and his years there.
|
Avg Pts
|
Avg Yards
|
TDs
|
Avg Pass Yds
|
Avg Rsh Yds
|
|
| Toledo 08, Pre SS |
22.4
|
334.1
|
32
|
187.8
|
146.2
|
| Toledo 09 With SS |
29.7
|
438.2
|
46
|
278.5
|
159.8
|
| Fla Intl 09, Pre SS |
22.7
|
320.9
|
35
|
216.7
|
104.2
|
| Fla Intl 10, With SS |
28.8
|
395.1
|
46
|
207.5
|
187.5
|
| Fla Intl 11, With SS |
25.0
|
360.5
|
37
|
214.9
|
145.6
|
There’s no doubt Satterfield had an impact with the Rockets. Offensive yards per game up almost 33%; passing up by almost half. And you can’t argue with the TD numbers, from 32 to 46.
The bag’s a bit more mixed at Florida International. The first year jump in stats is Toledo-esque, but the second season saw declines. Statistically, though, it was still a better offense than when he arrived.
Now at App, Satterfield has an established starting QB with which to work …. but ….. that’s …. about … it for known knowns.
App State great Brian Quick is gone to the big leagues, as have DP and Travaris Cadet. Reliable tight end Ben Jorden will also be missed.
The offensive line is h u g e – averaging 6-foot-3, 295 – but unproven, as is the running crops. This ain’t Michigan, circa 2007.
What’s a good benchmark on which to judge the O? Return to the glory years with a lightning-like scoring squad? Or some offensive imagination setting a foundation for growth next season?
Better yet, simply a first-down drive that doesn’t always begin with a run up the middle (two yards lost).
I idea where SS falls on the whole Chik-Fil-A debate?
If the O-line can improve (Ledford has to be better than McClain) we have the talent for a very exciting fall!
I think you have to be realistic given the scenario, but I don't see why we couldn't back around that top 10-ish in the nation in FCS again with JJ, Miller, Peacock, Washingotn, and an improved O Line. I think it all hinges in how improved that line is…..
No doubt SS will be more creative in his play calling and the game pace will be much quicker. However, the play calling might not have matter as much if the OL was better. That still is the most important component for success.
give him a year to recruit.
I think running a faster pace offense will be a big plus. Seems like in the glory days, we had 3 speeds of offense, and they all seemed faster than this last season. I'm ready to see some more scoring drives of less than 2 minutes.
With a proven quarterback and some athletes, I'm excited. Everything I've read and heard seems to be more positive than last year, and Coach Moore seems to have gotten rid of some dead weight and has picked back up on the discipline too.
I'm not thinking national championship, but who knows…..
It is asking allot to expect Satterfield to come in and fix all of the crap that Moore screwed up with the program since 2008. He has his work cut out for him.
I don't expect a Championship this year but I do expect them to PLAY. That is Moore than we got in 2011. Much Moore!
This is the best I've felt about the trajectory of our coaching and talet on the roster since 2009. I think we're going to have a fantastic year.
82 I agree with a lot of what you have to say but you gotta change your av. I cannot stand looking at the turd anymore. It makes me sick that he was a coach for as long as he was but he is gone now thank GOD!!! Put a pic of SS up there or something.
Happy Satterfield is back. He is a good FCS coach and good for Appalachian.