Fenway Bowl: Scott Satterfield won't be in Boston for Louisville or Cincinnati

Scott Satterfield's move to Cincinnati on Monday created plenty of questions. No question, though, was bigger than where Satterfield's allegiance would lie in the Fenway Bowl.

The search is on:Jeff Brohm to Louisville football? 5 possible candidates to replace Scott Satterfield

Louisville and Cincinnati play in the Dec. 17 bowl game in Boston as the Keg of Nails rivalry kicks back up after being dormant for the last eight years. On which sideline will Satterfield be standing?

Neither.

"I told both teams I'm removing myself from the bowl," Satterfield said. "I won't be there. Not going to be in that situation. My whole focus right now is putting together a staff and recruiting."

Former Cardinals wide receiver Deion Branch, who made his return to Louisville as the director of player development earlier this year, will coach the team in Boston, while cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs will lead Cincinnati.

Scott Satterfield buyout:Scott Satterfield buyout: How much the ex-Louisville football coach owes the school

While no Cardinal players have yet to opt out of playing in the game, Satterfield has. It would've been his third bowl game with U of L after making the First Responders Bowl last year and the Music City Bowl after his first season in 2019.

The Cardinals beat Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl, 38-28, but fell to Air Force two years later, 31-28.

Instead of coaching, Satterfield plans to hit the recruiting trail to begin his tenure at Cincinnati. Ironically, Louisville's coaching staff was reportedly out recruiting Monday morning when the news of Satterfield's hiring with the Bearcats became public.

"I've already started recruiting and we're going to recruit this afternoon," Satterfield said at his introductory press conference with UC on Monday afternoon. "That's what we're going to do for the time until we can sign players and get them here."

The early National Signing Day is Dec. 21, which gives Satterfield a little over two weeks to recruit at Cincinnati. He leaves behind a Cardinals recruiting class that was one of the program's best and currently ranked 19th, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The class includes running back Rueben Owens, the program's second-ever five star commit and first since Male High School alum Michael Bush (2003), and seven four-star prospects. The group is highlighted by four-star quarterback Pierce Clarkson, who just helped St. John Bosco (Calif.) win the California Interscholastic Federation Division I state championship over rival Mater Dei 24-22 on Nov. 26.

Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @Alexis_Cubit.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Scott Satterfield out of Louisville and Cincinnati \Fenway Bowl