Louisville lost Charlie Strong, but many people thought they could bring a coach to the caliber close to Strong making sure the Cardinals do not miss a beat when they move into the Atlantic Coast Conference. There were a couple really strong candidates in Michigan State's defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi or Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris plus one strange candidate... Bobby Petrino. The same coach that left Louisville in the dust to go to the National Football League. People thought it was not possible Petrino would be back in Louisville but he returns to the place that made his career. But he returns with a great deal of baggage. Everyone would think when the term 'baggage' is said, we are referring to his motorcycle scandal, and while that is a major part of it, Petrino napalmed bridges almost everywhere he had a job. I mean this guy completely set the previous job employer on fire before leaving for the next job. Look at what happened to him left Jacksonville according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post..
Favorite Petrino story: He was Jaguars' OC in 2001 when I covered them. Sneaked away to Auburn after season without telling Coughlin. (1/2)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) January 8, 2014Coughlin wasn't aware Petrino had left until Auburn announced his hiring. Coughlin was furious, supposedly never spoke to him again. (2/2)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) January 8, 2014 Let's not forget about how he nearly left Louisville in the night for the Auburn head coaching job. Petrino signed a 10-year contract with Louisville in 2006 before the season only to head to Atlanta Falcons the following January. It continued when he was with Atlanta as he left with a dog with his tail between his legs after the Michael Vick scandal and Atlanta's 3-10 record leading then Atlanta, now Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to calling him every name in the book. And then yes, one of the craziest scandals in college football history with the motorcycle incident that ESPN's Bomani Jones described perfectly when Petrino was in deep trouble.
The fact he found a way back to a power conference in under two years since the scandal is incredible, and the finest form of throwing morality clauses out the window because winning trumps all. Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich is considered one of the top athletic directors in the country and he knows damn well they cannot go through a pseudo rebuilding process with Louisville headed to the ACC next year. He wants this team to be in a New Year's Day bowl or damn near close to one even if Teddy Bridgewater will not be there. Petrino seems to get results early and often and that's why he keeps getting chances. Winning makes people forget about everything even if that's a wrong way to look at things.
We spend countless hours criticizing a guy like Johnny Manziel for not caring about his team by his off-the-field antics yet we hire a coach with a multitude of problems creating the ultimate double standard. These men at Louisville are 18-24 meaning they can make their own decisions/opinions yet football players will always look toward their coach as a leader, an older brother and even in some cases a father figure. Does Petrino really feel like one of those? Not really, just a man obsessed with winning and himself. Petrino is a selfish human, but he really has not been humbled due to continued success. It happens with even common people around the country.
Even though the money given to Petrino is not really that high, I cannot believe they have him for seven years with a 10 million dollar buyout essentially locking him into this role until 2021. Winning needs to happen immediately for a variety of reasons. Louisville is the classic case of a program having sustained success in their two major spots, and they do not want to lose this feeling meaning they will go to all lengths to ensure it keeps happening even if it means bringing a snake oil salesman back to town.
Charlie.
The fact he found a way back to a power conference in under two years since the scandal is incredible, and the finest form of throwing morality clauses out the window because winning trumps all. Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich is considered one of the top athletic directors in the country and he knows damn well they cannot go through a pseudo rebuilding process with Louisville headed to the ACC next year. He wants this team to be in a New Year's Day bowl or damn near close to one even if Teddy Bridgewater will not be there. Petrino seems to get results early and often and that's why he keeps getting chances. Winning makes people forget about everything even if that's a wrong way to look at things.
We spend countless hours criticizing a guy like Johnny Manziel for not caring about his team by his off-the-field antics yet we hire a coach with a multitude of problems creating the ultimate double standard. These men at Louisville are 18-24 meaning they can make their own decisions/opinions yet football players will always look toward their coach as a leader, an older brother and even in some cases a father figure. Does Petrino really feel like one of those? Not really, just a man obsessed with winning and himself. Petrino is a selfish human, but he really has not been humbled due to continued success. It happens with even common people around the country.
Even though the money given to Petrino is not really that high, I cannot believe they have him for seven years with a 10 million dollar buyout essentially locking him into this role until 2021. Winning needs to happen immediately for a variety of reasons. Louisville is the classic case of a program having sustained success in their two major spots, and they do not want to lose this feeling meaning they will go to all lengths to ensure it keeps happening even if it means bringing a snake oil salesman back to town.
Charlie.
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