Former Furman Head Coach Jimmy Satterfield Elected To South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame

By John Hooper | Mar 21, 2015

Jimmy Satterfield is headed to the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.

Former Furman head football coach Jimmy Satterfield is slated to be elected into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame it was announced in late February.

The native of Lancaster, S.C., joins some elite company, as he will be elected along with former Clemson standout running back Terry Allen, former South Carolina pitcher Kip Bouknight, Lander tennis coach Joe Cabri, New England Patriots tight end Ben Coates, Clemson soccer star Bruce Murray, and former Spartanburg Herald Sports journalist Jim Timms. Timms will be elected posthumously.

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Satterfield helped the program become the first private Division I-AA program to claim a national title, when the Paladins lifted the national title trophy in his third season at the helm, as Furman claimed a 17-12 win over Georgia Southern in Pocatello, Idaho to claim the 1988 national crown. The national title in 1988 also marked the first by a Southern Conference program.

Satterfield spent all of 21 seasons as an assistant and head coach of the Furman football program. In eight seasons as a head coach, Satterfield became the second-winningest coach in Furman football history, posting a 66-29-3 (.689), directing the Paladins to three Southern Conference crowns in 1988, ‘89 and ‘90. For his efforts during the 1988 season, Satterfield was named the Kodak and Cheverolet National Coach of the Year.

Prior to becoming the head coach of the Paladins in 1986 following Dick Sheridan’s departure for NC State, Satterfield served as the Furman offensive coordinator 13 years, starting his career under Art Baker in 1972. Prior to becoming the Paladins’ head coach, Satterfield was one of the top offensive coordinators in the nation, regularly leading clinics on the elements of the triple-option offense prior to taking over as the head coach in 1986.

Satterfield was a major factor in helping Furman to its greatest period in program history, referred to by most around the Paladin football program as the “Decade of Dominance”, which saw the Paladins post a 95-24-4 from 1980-89. It was a mark that made Furman the second-most successful Division I-AA program (FCS) during the decade of the 1980s.

During one four-year span, Furman posted a 41-12 mark from 1987-90, enjoying one of its best four-year spans in school history. Led by All-American quarterback Frankie DeBusk, the Paladins made three-straight Division I-AA Playoff appearances, winning the 1988 crown, while being knocked out in the semifinals and quarterfinals of the postseason each of the next two seasons, with setbacks to Stephen F. Austin and Nevada.

The 1993 season, which be Satterfield’s swan-song, the Paladins entered a senior day clash with No. 2 Marshall having just a 4-4-1 record. The Paladins would play inspired football, as the Paladins would post a 17-3 win over the eventual Division I-AA national runner-up Thundering Herd to ensure Satterfield’s head coaching stint in Greenville would not include one with a below .500 record.

When former Appalachian State head coach Jerry Moore was elected into the college football Hall-of-Fame last year, Satterfield was the first to call and offer Moore his congratulations. During his 21 years on the Furman sidelines, Satterfield helped Furman to nine of its now 13 Southern Conference titles, and helped the Paladins to 18 winning seasons.

Prior to his arrival at Furman in 1972, Satterfield spent time in the middle part of the Palmetto State as a successful high school coach at both Eau Claire High School and Irmo High School.

Satterfield spent nine seasons as an assistant and head coach at Eau Claire High School (1962-70). In his three seasons as the program’s head coach, Satterfield helped Eau Claire post a 30-4-1 mark during that stretch.

After his three seasons at Eau Claire, Satterfield moved on to Irmo High School, serving as head coach for two seasons and compiling a 19-4 record before making the move to Furman.

Following his career at Furman, Satterfield returned to the High School ranks as the athletic director and head football coach at Lexington High School. Satterfield directed Lexington to a 4A runner-up finish.

The ceremony will be held on May 11 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

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