Scott Satterfield interviewed with South Carolina on Friday

As it turns out, Louisville fans who were skeptical of Scott Satterfield’s carefully worded statement “denying” interest in the South Carolina job two weeks ago appear to have been correct in their distrust.

Multiple South Carolina based news outlets, including South Carolina’s 247 Sports site, have reported that Satterfield met with USC athletic director Ray Tanner on Friday about the Gamecocks’ head coaching vacancy. Card Chronicle can confirm those reports.

It would also seem that Satterfield took part in the interview without informing U of L athletic director Vince Tyra.

This whole situation is eerily similar to Bobby Petrino’s first flirtation with Auburn back in 2003. First, there was a denial of interest, then a secret interview, then a public reveal that left Louisville fans angry and ok with the idea of the head coach moving on after two years. Petrino would eventually coach the Cardinals for three more seasons — with another flirtation with LSU coming a year later — before sneaking off to Atlanta.

If Satterfield doesn’t wind up landing the gig, or decides that he’d rather stay at Louisville — I’m told having kids who would have to switch high schools midyear once again could play a part in the decision — he’s going to have some fences to mend. Cardinal fans have been through this wringer a dozen or so times at this point, but that’s not going to make them any easier to win back ... should the situation come to that.

Satterfield’s current contract with U of L includes a $5 million buyout through Dec. 31, 2020. That buyout drops to $3.5 million if he terminates his contract after Dec. 31, 2020, but before Dec. 31, 2022.

Stay tuned.