Louisville football legend and former Super Bowl MVP, Deion Branch, is joining the Cardinals’ coaching staff as the new wide receivers coach, as confirmed by 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Branch has been involved with the program in an off-field role for the last three seasons and will now take over the position from Garrick McGee.
McGee, who had been with Louisville, was recently hired by North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick to coach the Tar Heels’ wide receivers, leaving a vacancy that head coach Jeff Brohm needed to fill. Brohm didn’t have to look far to find the ideal replacement in Branch, who had previously served as Louisville’s interim head coach for their 2022 Fenway Bowl victory against Cincinnati, stepping in while Brohm transitioned into the role.
While Branch’s college coaching experience is limited to that interim role, his resume is impressive. The 45-year-old enjoyed an 11-season career in the NFL, earning the MVP title for Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005 when his New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21. Branch finished the game with 11 receptions for 133 yards.
Branch’s last full NFL season was in 2012, and since then, he has been serving as Louisville’s director of player development & alumni relations since 2022. He had a standout career for the Cardinals in 2000 and 2001, racking up over 70 receptions and more than 1,000 yards receiving in each season after transferring from junior college.
As part of the coaching staff, Branch will work closely with head coach Jeff Brohm, another Louisville program legend who played quarterback for the Cardinals from 1989 to 1993. Under Brohm, the Cardinals have gone 19-8 over the past two seasons.
