January 7, 2007
Patrino hired as Atlanta Falcons coach
Breaking news out of Atlanta says that Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino has been hired as the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
ESPN's Pat Forde is reporting as of Sunday night that Petrino has accepted a five-year, $24 million offer to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons....
ESPN.com's report says that players on the team were informed at a 9:00 p.m. meeting.
From ESPN's original report:
"I'm in shock right now," Louisville kicker Arthur Carmody told ESPN's Joe Schad Sunday night. "I'm about to walk into a team meeting right now. We're coming off a great Orange Bowl win and we were all thinking national championship. I didn't think this would happen. He said he enjoyed college football. He's a great coach and we're going to miss him."...
The leading candidate to replace Petrino figures to be Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, who has taken the Golden Hurricane to three bowl games in four years after taking over one of the worst programs in the country.
Comments:
T-Mac said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:17 PM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse?
What the hell is Petrino doing leaving Louisvile? What a ( tool ). What a ( snake in the grass ). What a ( traitor ). LOL. LOL.
Who would have ever thought that a Football Coach would consider a JOB CHANGE??????????
The nerve of some people! LOL
T-Mac said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:23 PM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse?
The Louisville kicker said he was in shock. They were just coming off a great Orange Bowl win and thinking National Championship. Petrino said he enjoyed College Football then VAULTED for the NFL. Here All this time I thought that Nick Saban was the only coach to ever do this sort of thing. Like a change in career. Man, Go Figure!
BHT said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:26 PM — 74.129.98.156 — link — abuse?
What a chump! How many times can you screw the fans of Louisville and get away with it? Just another ego that wants to coach at the NFL but will more than likely not be able to handle when his players start giving the orders. There's good college coaches and then there's good NFL coaches but they are two very different things.
Mia alum said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:34 PM — 65.9.169.28 — link — abuse?
For what its worth, Having just been through the Nick Saban drama combined with the Hurricanes coaching search I understand what you guys are feeling. I know many of u r angry but being a fan of Miami for many years I have come to believe that good jobs make good coaches. Petrino has not only put you guys on the map but to the top of it at that. There is a ton of talent up there and I think you guys will be fine. Trust me, no one will be looking forward to playing u guys with or without Petrino.
Randy said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:41 PM — 74.93.5.150 — link — abuse?
Okay, let's have all the bashers and haters come on board. It will be interesting to see how many Auburn fans will jump on this wagon. When it involved Alabama it was the worst thing ever perpetrated on mankind.
If their concerns aren't really about Alabama and Saban then they will be on this blog like ugly on an ape.
clemson1981 said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:47 PM — 74.226.202.63 — link — abuse?
T-Mac i think petrino did it for money and for a bigger name. now im not calling out all you big e fans but how many times have all you big east fans told me over and over petrino is not going anywhere? well here he goes to ruin his coaching life, but dont worry there is already news nick saban is going to arizona and bobby petrino is already accepted the albama job in his place!!!
CROW said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:52 PM — 74.130.121.56 — link — abuse?
Well at least the lizard did'nt slither south to the sec..Forget Petrino..she is gone...Remember our ACE-IN-THE-HOLE=Tom Jurich..He has always been the real play caller behind our beloved "Bird O Prey...I think we can put our hopes in his hands. Fox News interviewed JL Smith who claims to be moving back to DaVille..I pray he is never allowed to stand on our sidelines again.. Go Cards!!The_Ville said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:02 PM — 152.163.100.196 — link — abuse?
Petrino..aka Saban Jr. as us ville fans call him now...as a ville fan I say good ridance yea he was a good coach even a great coach but Louisville doesn't need people like him as part of our program sure this is a huge set back hopefully our AD finds a good replacement and we can bounce back as a Ville fan I and all us fans for that matter were tired of the rumors every year about him staying or leaving.. he just better not show his face in louisville again we've already got the gallows ready for him lol...this just gives me one more reason to dislike the falcons as if that hot shot Vick wasn't enough
clemson1981 said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:02 PM — 74.226.202.63 — link — abuse?
once again randy i dont think you understand this is not the alabama-auburn rivalry they will talk smack about saban b/c he is at bama and they are auburn fans.
and also mia alum:
good point, now i have bashed the big e for years, but i think louisville si no different than boise state they had a good coach, then hired a new one and went with no losses and a BCS win, so dont worry hire a guy on the current staff, or jimbo fisher, or hell bosie states head coac, you will be fine.proe3dpro1 said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:06 PM — 67.140.152.24 — link — abuse?
Petrino has used Louisville as a stepping stone to gain a larger salary and his real goal as head coach of a NFL team. He has helped put Lousiville football on the map but I do not believe his statements were true when he said Louisville is where he wants to coach football. His past record of courting other teams including professional should have uncovered his true motive. My personal view is we do not need a coach who has very little loyalty to the fans and the University and is more loyal to the highest salary.
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:07 PM — 68.48.90.248 — link — abuse?
Well, the NFL and other College Football Conferences will never let us Big East Guys get ahead for a moment huh? This sucks, that's all I can say.......... oh wait a minute...... there just might be a place for Vick in the NFL now that Petrino is there and Mora is out. Petrino will make him look a little better I think? But, probably not much better.:)
posted on January 7, 2007 10:13 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
If I'm Louisville, I go hire Larry Fedora (Okie State, formerly Florida). I know Kragthorpe or Chris Peterson (Boise) will get a lot of press, but Fedora is a great recruiter and runs a balanced offense - a key if you're going to go play in Morgantown in the fall.
Jon said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:20 PM — 69.246.161.119 — link — abuse?
Bad move.
They really need to stop trying to make Vick run complicated offenses. Mora = West coast. It failed because 1) Vick doesn't react quick enough, 2) The majority of plays were short passes (which killed them 2-fold because Vick is actually more accurate with longer passes AND because it kept the defense close, so when Vick would run, they would be within 5-yards and ready to stop him)..
You spread the field.. send recievers on deep routes and force the defense to choose whether they want Vick/Dunn to burn them.. or the WR.
Best person to run Atlanta's offense: Mike Martz
Atlanta could of hired Mike Martz for a fraction of that money and he would of actually been good.
Now they are implementing a variation of West coast that is simply too complicated for Vick. I hope Petrino figures this out quickly and adjusts accordingly....
TonyG said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:20 PM — 74.138.67.44 — link — abuse?
Well as a lifetime U of L...All i can say is im glad its over and now we can get a coach that wants to be here....Who care's we got AD Tom Jurich...he make the louisville program go...Give him the next 10 year 25 mil $$$ deal ..He's earned it.
Randy said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:36 PM — 74.93.5.150 — link — abuse?
clemson 1981, Seems that you follow me from blog to blog correcting me like you're the Internet police. Too bad there's nothing worth talking about at Clemson.
All that I said was let's have the SAME Auburn fans on this blog bashing Patrino. That way it won't look like an Alabama-Auburn thing.
thechad said:
posted on January 7, 2007 10:59 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
well first off all of us cards fan knew this was comming for the last four years petrino was a good coach for us and took us to the next level but this guy is nothing but a asshole who used us as a steping stone for years so good ridance and take his pot smoking son with hime too the cards will be fine with out the snake in the grass so let s move on and go get steve kragthorpe and move on hell hes been wanting the job for two years and look what he did for tulsa as for c -dogg dont you forget back in the fall how we kick the shit out of your huricanes and dont forget we back it again by kicking your all buts in basketball too and wining the orange bowl while you all barley got by in the mpc bowl in bosie and i would personally invite you to louisville to see a state of art football staidum that we have than the crap hole you all play in and have to get to give free tickets aways to watch you all get in a fight and makes fools out your s elf again and how about that great hire you all got get over it miami glory days are done thats why you all cant keep a coach like schellenburger johnson erickison and davis they dont to stay at thug u so go cards we dont cry over spill mike we regroup and i will be in my seat sec 116 row t seat 118 next cheering on my cards
T-Mac said:
posted on January 7, 2007 11:13 PM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse?
The_Ville, post 13. Don't even try to compare Saban to Petrino bro. Coach Saban made a change for the better in his life. Saban took a pay cut for his next endeavor. Why did Petrino vault to the NFL for 4.8 million per year??? I'm sure Louisville was paying him over $4 million per year right? Don't even try it bro. Petrino's motivation was money and we all know it.
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on January 7, 2007 11:23 PM — 71.74.92.76 — link — abuse?
WOOOW!! Talk about your end around! This IS the Statue of Liberty play of coach hirin'.
BTW,...................................when is signing day? At least dude didnt screw the new recruits.Unbelievable,....almost to the NC game, then POOF!
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on January 7, 2007 11:38 PM — 68.48.90.248 — link — abuse?
Holy Crap! Someone.... quick call the "Spelling Bee" Champ himself....... "irishjt". Kevin has spelled Coach Petrino's name wrong. Hurry before numerous people log onto this blog and cannot figure out what the headline means.
cardfan-in-Oklahoma said:
posted on January 8, 2007 12:09 AM — 70.233.171.191 — link — abuse?
I feel like someone just punched me in the gut!
I can't remember a time in my life where I've been on such a high... to feeling like I feel right now. Louisville football has come such a long way...I just hope and pray this doesn't set us back too far. Petrino, I really respect your coaching ability and appericate the fact that you helped U of L take the next step towards our ultimate goal. But, I do not respect the fact that you lied to the fans and the university time and time again!!I do not fault anyone for trying to better himself or his family...but why sign a contract extention and tell everyone that your at Louisville for the long haul?I don't know if I'll ever understand.I just a regular guy living life and if I sign a contract I'm bound to it....if I don't honor it... I'm probably going to get sued. Isn't the definition of a contract the same no matter what business your in? I'll always appericate petrino's time at UofL and I wish him the best for the future.But I'm sure he will regret this decision in the future and find out that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.And I speak from experience when I say ...Usually you don't know what ya got...til it's gone!
On the bright side of things...we do have the best A.D.(Jurich) in the country and I am extremely confident he will find the right guy for the job!!! And I will cheer for louisville no matter who the coach is!!! GO CARDS!!!bearhawk said:
posted on January 8, 2007 1:34 AM — 71.109.7.83 — link — abuse?
bobby petrino is a vile disloyal scumbag. if i'm a louisville fan, i say good riddance. this is the third time that disloyal turd tried to trade-up. as a football fan that favors continuity and loyalty, i have to say that he's the epitome of all that's wrong in college football.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on January 8, 2007 1:41 AM — 71.42.27.135 — link — abuse?
Who was the loser who always insisted Petrino would never leave? Haven't we all learned that it doesn't matter what a coach says about a hiring situation? It means nothing. NOTHING.
volstrike3 said:
posted on January 8, 2007 3:07 AM — 75.8.230.248 — link — abuse?
My guess is Brohm will be following him and might be taking Bush with him. Bush could stay. U of L was a flash in the pan just like I predicted. What does the coach leaving before National Signing Day do for your recruiting class? They can go ahead and scrath those plans for the stadium expansion. Won't be needed. I am predicting an empty bandwagon at "Da Ville" for several years. WVU has another year or two until they join them. Rutgers may be the class of the big east for some time to come.
badgerballer said:
posted on January 8, 2007 7:13 AM — 71.221.103.158 — link — abuse?
You'd think that professional owners & GM's would learn. The best predictor of future results is past. How many truly successful coaching transions from college to pro have there really been? In ANY sport? He'll be either out of coaching all together, or back in the college game, within three years. Welcome to the Steve Spurrier School of Hard Knocks, Coach P.
Big Tide said:
posted on January 8, 2007 7:13 AM — 12.226.94.229 — link — abuse?
Thanks Gatorpilot, I was going to ask for the guy who earlier in the year was talking about Big East domination. Let RR take it on the chin for a few seasons and he'll be gone too. By the way, good luck tonight representing the SEC. Bet Saban was glad to hear the Petrino news!!
posted on January 8, 2007 7:40 AM — link — abuse?
Y'all can *not* be mad at Petrino for taking this job. I can understand the sentiment if he had gone to any other college team, but this is an NFL head coaching job. I know UofL fans will be frustrated, but you have got to just smile and watch him walk.
easternfan said:
posted on January 8, 2007 7:59 AM — 67.72.98.81 — link — abuse?
Oh well Cards, I'd like to say we didn't see it comming but we did. As our coach Rod said up here in West by God, "Its better if people want your coaches". Hire MIKE SHULA, he's a quality guy and he's available...I'm not kidding!
Joe Hamilton said:
posted on January 8, 2007 9:16 AM — 72.157.175.155 — link — abuse?
From Sportsline.com
Junior quarterback Brian Brohm and injured running back Michael Bush have until Jan. 15 to decide whether they'll return next fall, and a coaching change could be a factor in their decision to come back. Neither player was made available to the media Sunday night, as most players walked out of the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex talking in small groups with slightly stunned looks on their faces.
"I think it'll bring us extra closer," Heyman said. "We've faced diversity this whole season."
Ahh, persevere Cards. Its hard not to admire a team that strives to triumph in the face of diversity...
PreProSports said:
posted on January 8, 2007 9:45 AM — 68.21.103.162 — link — abuse?
Bad move for Bobby P. The NFL promotes one thing: parity. And parity ain't good for head coaches. Petrino will server the typical 2-3 years (see: Spurrier and Saban) and then he'll be coaching the likes of Syracuse or Utah.
It's gonna be Bobby Petrino vs. the CoachKiller in 2008!
Scott 51 said:
posted on January 8, 2007 10:07 AM — 74.128.200.189 — link — abuse?
I, for one, am a U of L fan who has never claimed that Petrino was here to stay. Too many flirtations with too many programs should have been proof enough that Petrino would eventually bolt. The guy left the program in better shape than he found it. Better football, stronger discipline, higher graduation rates.
Still, I say good riddance. Petrino was liked, not loved - because he could never be trusted. And my bet is that Michael Bush and Brian Brohm feel the same way. They may leave, they may stay, but I don't think Petrino's departure will influence their decision. Jeff Brohm (Brian's brother) will remain as Q.B. coach if he isn't named the head coach and the Bush family hasn't been overly fond of Petrino since he told Michael his days as a QB were over.Tom Jurich is the finest AD in the country. I trust him to find a more than capable replacement to keep this well-oiled machine running.
GO CARDS!Mountaineer Fan said:
posted on January 8, 2007 10:53 AM — 64.181.34.226 — link — abuse?
All I have to say to Louisville fans is...HAHAHA!!! What a way to pave the way for WVU to win the Big East in 2007. No Petrino, No Bush, and more than likely no more Brohm. HAHAHA!!! This is hilarious, good luck in 2007 U of L! HAHAHA
Jon said:
posted on January 8, 2007 11:02 AM — 69.246.161.119 — link — abuse?
For those of you who didn't already know:
In 2001, as an offensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin, Petrino managed to take a 7-9 (2000) Jacksonville Jaguars team and turn them into a fantastic 6-10 team....Before they could demote him, he fled the NFL to become an offensive coordinator at mighty Auburn...
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on January 8, 2007 11:07 AM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
Well, he's already on his way back to Miami - so Pete must have told him to go pound sand. I hope he ate least got to catch a fish and hire a hooker - cause I don't think that he was able to land anything else.
Tommie T
C-DOGG said:
posted on January 8, 2007 11:57 AM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
I really don't think this was a $$ issue. Here is the trickle down effect of not having a college D-1 playoff. These college coaches want to win championships. The NFL quadriples your chances of being a champion, whereas the college ranks only take two teams for the big game (with no playoff). One loss in college USUALLY (but obviously not always) ruins your chances of a shot at the national title, whereas Petrino can loose 6-8 games in the NFL and have a shot at the Superbowl. Can't blame a guy for that. Go Petrino...enjoy your stay before you get fired after the 2008 season. Who knows????he just might be a superbowl champion in those two years. Stranger things have happened in the No Fun League.
Diggs the Mountie said:
posted on January 8, 2007 12:14 PM — 68.48.90.248 — link — abuse?
volstrike3, #35
If you honestly think that WVU will suck in 2 more years? (You must be crazy.... duhnt duht duh).
I'm taking that your thinking that our key to success is Slaton and White? Am I right? Explain to me that if White and Slaton are the reason we win almost every game we play....... then why did we beat Rutgers without White? and GT without Slaton?
Granted that they are outstanding players....... but what?.....You don't think that we have running backs almost as fast as Slaton? Also, in case you didn't know?.... Jarrett Brown is a freshman.... a freshman. He is even a more accurate than White, and he's almost as fast. Oh, I guess you didn't watch the WVU vs. Rutgers game huh?....... Well now you know. Your welcome for the info.
clemson1981 said:
posted on January 8, 2007 3:30 PM — 74.226.219.7 — link — abuse?
randy:
i do not follow you first of all i think im allowed to post on anything i want on here, so once again get it through your imbread alabama self people can post on whatever they want.cape cod rutgers:
my man, i can vividly remember you saying petrino was going no where, but i wont worry about louisville, they will be fine. but i think this does say that some big east coaches are not as loyal as you big east fan would hae thought.gatorhippy said:
posted on January 8, 2007 5:10 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
Diggs (#54):
Not saying volstrike is right, but his view would certainly be supported by WVU's track record...
The Eers have one and two double digit win seasons bookmarked between 5 to 10 seasons of mediocrity throughout the history of the program...
For instance...
WVU has posted 11 win seasons the last two years but before that their last double digit win season was 1993...
Before that 1988...
Before that 1969...
Before that 1922...
All those years in between are riddled with seasons averaging around the .500 mark spiking to 8 or 9 wins and dropping to only 3-4 wins with some...
Certainly not shabby, but not great either...
Personally, I remember hearing the same comments being made back in 1993 only to watch the Mountaineers fail to live up to the hype placed upon them by their fans...
If you want the respect (or hype) of the "big" conferences, teams from the Big East will need to continually put it together and progress as they have the last two years...
Personally, I hope the Big East maintains and progresses their excellent season from this year next season...
As I have said before, the more parity in CFB the better for all involved...
And it may nust lead to a playoff...
posted on January 8, 2007 6:19 PM — link — abuse?
As a Falcons fan, I guess I like the hire. I would rather have seen Vick leaving and Schaub under center with Mora staying, though.
Cape Cod Tom '84 Rutgers said:
posted on January 8, 2007 6:58 PM — 24.218.208.81 — link — abuse?
Hey Paper Tiger 1981; Post 56:
You're right my brother, I said it. But I'll tell you this...Patrino just made the biggest mistake of his life.
Every gambler knows, you don't trade in winning cards. That's rule number one.
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
C-DOGG said:
posted on January 7, 2007 9:17 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?PLEASE tell me this is a joke!
If this is true, Louisville just took a step back.....BIGTIME! Don't worry Louisville, he'll be back in college licking his wounds after 2 years of Michael Vick. The question is....will you forgive and take him back?