LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some popular Cardinals are sticking around Cardinal Stadium and Jeff Brohm’s football program.

What You Need To Know

  •  Jeff Brohm announced Deion Branch and Mark Ivey will remain with the team

  •  Ivey is an assistant coach overseeing the defensive line

  •  Deion Branch will resume his Director of Player Development role

UofL’s new head coach announced assistant coach Mark Ivey and Wasabi Bowl winning coach, Deion Branch will remain on staff.

Ivey has been with the Cards for four years and will continue on as part of the defensive staff next season. Branch, who announced his retirement from coaching after winning the bowl game, will resume his duties as Director of Player Development.

Under Ivey’s direction as defensive line coach, the Cardinals were national leaders in several defensive categories. The school says this year’s defensive line was one of the most dominant in school history. Under Ivey’s tutelage, defensive ends Yaya Diaby and Ashton Gillotte combined for 15 sacks this season. The Cards tied the school record for sacks in a season with 50.

 

Numbers don't lie 📈 The Cards were one of the nation's top defenses in 2022 #GoCards

Posted by Louisville Football on Monday, December 19, 2022

Ivey assumed the role of defensive coordinator in Louisville’s 24-7 win over Cincinnati in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. The defense smothered the Bearcats, keeping them to only 138 yards of total offense.

Branch, who was interim coach of the Cardinals for the bowl game, retired after securing his first career win. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Athletics director, Josh Heird, said Branch was the right man for the job when he named him interim head coach of the team. Branch picked up not only his first career win but also gave the Cardinals its first bowl victory since 2019.

Branch joined the UofL football program as the team’s Director of Player Development, where he served as a liaison to the student-athletes. 

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