By Thomas Grant Jr.
Jimmy Satterfield had a legacy of success both on the college and high school levels.
He led Furman University to the Football Championship Subdivision National championship in 1988. The Lancaster native also never missed the playoffs in 13 seasons as a head coach at Lexington, Eau Claire and Irmo high schools and finished with 189 career victories.
On April 18, he and four other Palmetto State greats will be included in the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. The 11th annual enshrinement ceremony will take place at Hotel Hartness in Greenville.
“Coach Satterfield is the main reason why I felt called to coach,” said Lexington head coach Dustin Curtis, who played for Satterfield and was a member of the Class 4A runner-up team. “He loved us, loved the game, was the same guy every day, and led with such enthusiasm that you just couldn’t help but love being a Wildcat football player.
“I will always be grateful for him showing me how to coach the right way and for mentoring me as a young coach.”
Joining Satterfield in the induction class are former Clemson University and NFL running Terry Allen, former NFL Super Bowl champion tight end Ben Coates Jr., former University of South Carolina and NFL running back Harold Green and former Citadel and NFL running back and college head coach Stump Mitchell.
The Class of 2023 will be honored alongside the 2023 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy (TBA) recipient, the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award (TBA) recipient, and the 2024 Bridge Builder Excellence Award finalists.
The Blanchard-Rogers Trophy and Humanitarian of the Year winners will be announced over the next two weeks. The Bridge Builder Excellence Award finalists will be chosen among high school student-athletes.
Proceeds from the event go to provide support for the Bridge Builder Excellence Award Program and the #SCTop10N2030 Movement to lead South Carolina students to the Top 10 in college and career readiness by Dec.31, 2030. Supporters can give to the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame by sending a gift to 1 Whitsett St. Greenville, SC 29601, or go to scfootballhof.org.
Photo courtesy of Dustin Curtis – Former Furman and Lexington head coach Jimmy Satterfield with current Wildcats’ head coach Dustin Curtis
