Bobby Petrino to step down (1 Viewer)

[PatrickT]

Miami

NYJ

SF

CAR

KC

BAL

DET

WAS

All of these are teams that need a lot of work still, and have for a long time, much like the Falcons. In fact, outside of CAR and maybe BAL, all of had less success in the 2000s than the Falcons. Without doing any research, I bet I could make a case that we've had more recent success than any. We lost Vick. That's it. That's all. One freakin' guy. Reasons the Falcons are not some forlorn, lost, red-headed step-child:

DeAngelo Hall (CB)

Rod Coleman (DT)

Jerious Norwood (RB)

Michael Boley (LB)

DeMorrio Williams (LB)

Trey Lewis (DT)

John Abraham (DE)

Jamaal Anderson (DE)

David Irons (CB)

Chris Houston (CB)(I know, but he's a good man-to-man guy and struggling with the zone. And he's still a rook).

Darren Stone (S)

Justin Blalock (OG)

Alge Crumpler (TE)

Roddy White (WR)

Laurent Robinson (WR)

Stephen Nicholas (LB)

/Not getting in your face, Joe, just really don't get this "worst HC job in the NFL" line. Plus, I might be a tad emotional over this latest development.

 

[mad sweeney]

MiamiNYJSFCARKCBALDETWASAll of these are teams that need a lot of work still, and have for a long time, much like the Falcons. In fact, outside of CAR and maybe BAL, all of had less success in the 2000s than the Falcons. Without doing any research, I bet I could make a case that we've had more recent success than any. We lost Vick. That's it. That's all. One freakin' guy.

Forgot about Kerney.

 

[menobrown]

Within the past two years, both Missouri and Arkansas have missed out on a BCS bowl after a great (and totally unexpected) season because they lost their league championship game (a game that no one even gave them a chance of making in the first place). One team did everything in its power to run its coach out on a rail afterwards, and the other did not. That's the difference between Missouri and Arkansas.

You need to research the reason many fans turned on Houston Nutt despite an excellent season.

I know the reason why fans turned on Nutt. He wasn't playing the hot-shot freshman QB enough (even though the vet was outperforming the freshman and giving them a better chance to win). His offense wasn't passing enough (even though his offense was tearing teams apart on its way to the SECCG). His offensive coordinator defected (even though his offensive coordinator was a guy coaching HIGH SCHOOL the year before, with zero college experience). A bunch of the players parents overreacted in a dramatic fashion (which is to be expected given how much hype their children had been getting, but is still LUDICROUS given what their children had accomplished on the field). For an idea of how bad of a coach Nutt was, take a look at how long he lasted on the open market.

You're aware of the situation, yet you really don't know.Carry on.

Clayton if you don't mind can you tell the rest of us what really went on?

In the late winter / early spring of 2006 and after back-to-back losing seasons, Nutt's job was on the line. Most observers didn't think he was a capable offensive play-caller and felt an offense coordinator was needed.It just so happened that nearby Springdale High School had just finished an amazing 2005 season where they ran through the largest classification in the state. They were ranked in almost every national top 10 poll and had the Gatorade HS Player Of the Year in quarterback Mitch Mustain. They also had two WRs, a TE, and an OT that were getting multiple major college offers. Oh, they also had a head coach that was widely considered to be a passing-game genius (because in Arkansas, if you can write a book, you must be a genius) in Gus Malzahn.It is generally accepted that athletic director Frank Broyles told Nutt to hire Malzahn as Arkansas' offensive coordinator. Arkansas also ended up getting every player except for the OT, who went to Notre Dame. Prior to the 2006 season, it was hotly debated whether Malzahn would have total control of the offense. It turns out that Malzahn was treated as nothing more than an adviser to suggest improvements for the overall offense. (I have a friend that works for the e-mailer referenced below. This friend told me prior to the 2006 season that Houston Nutt told the e-mailer that Malzahn would be OC in name only and that Nutt would OK the play-calling. I didn't believe it at the time as I had no idea the e-mailer was so deeply connected to the Nutt family.)A writer followed Mitch Mustain and some of his teammates around during their recruiting process and wrote a book about it. In the book, Mustain was quoted as calling Houston Nutt a "dork".A close friend of Nutt sent a profanity-laced e-mail to Mustain telling him to leave the program. Nutt eventually made the person write an apology to Mustain a couple weeks after the player's mom asked what was being done. Nutt also told this person to not send any e-mails to any other players. This person still has sideline access during games (even last season immediately after the e-mail incident was reported).In that e-mail, the person said Mustain needed to have a "Code Red" (called by the team to clear the air on losing, attitudes, whatever) called on him regarding the comments in the book. The next day, senior LB Sam Olajabutu called a Code Red on Mustain over the comments.A few years ago, Mustain's mom was beaten up by two tenants at her rental home (no, not blaming Nutt for this). However, last season, Houston Nutt's wife e-mailed friends joking about how funny it was that the player's mom had been beaten up and that she wished she could have gotten in on it.After the very successful (which is kind of amazing considering all of the internal squabbling that went on) 2006 season, Nutt informed Malzahn that he was bringing in David Lee from the Dallas Cowboys to be co-offensive coordinator and that Lee would be in charge of the offense. About a week later, Malzahn bolted to Tulsa and is leading an offense that is averaging over 530 yards per game this season. Three of the Springdale players also transferred: one to Tulsa (I believe) and two (including Mustain) to USC.[Editorial Section]Nutt is notoriously thinned skinned and quite needy of praise. You will rarely, if ever, hear him take the blame for something bad, but he was quick to jump in front of a microphone after one of his play-calls went for a game-winning TD. This season, he has blamed losses on Casey **** (for not scrambling on a called pass play against Alabama), Michael Smith (for fumbling in the first half against Kentucky), David Lee (for not opening up the offense against Auburn), and the entire team (for not being ready to play against Tennessee).Regarding the Mustain / Malzahn saga:While there is no hard evidence, it seems quite likely that Houston Nutt used Malzahn and the Springdale recruits to save his job. Once the Hogs started rolling last season, Nutt felt secure enough in his position to push them out the door. He didn't want Mustain around because of the dork comment. He didn't want Malzahn on staff because Malzahn was getting much praise from Razorback fans.[/Editorial Section]

Hey Clayton,I know you told me this before but I never really got it all.How factual is the email his wife allegedly sent laughing about the mom getting beat up?That is a huge thing to say. Is it pretty well acknowledged this is an undisputable and uncontested fact?I don't know of many programs where the QB could write a book and call his coach a "dork" and still be with the program. But even with that, am I understanding correctly that a friend of Nutt's wrote the mean email to the QB? And that Nutt reprimanded the friend and made him apologize?They now hate him for this?J

Joe,The part about Nutt's wife writing the email about Mitch's mom is FACT.Also, FOIO showed that the email from the staffer was forwarded from Nutt's home to other people, including boosters, all the while, Nutt was claiming to know nothing about it. The reprimand only came after much public pressure and outcry. It was late and minimal. It's been reported here that the apology letter sat on Nutt's desk for a month before it was given to Mustain.And for those who think Malzahn didn't know what he was doing on the college level one year removed from high school fail to remember that he was named Offensive Coordinator of the Year last year for implementing the Wildhog that made Darren McFadden a two-time Heisman runner-up and that his current offense at Tulsa is the top-ranked one in the nation this year. The drama in Fayetteville was so great that ESPN did a three-part special series on it over the summer. It was not a good scene in Fayetteville and Nutt as head coach was responsible.RevDawg

These are true points Red Dawg and for those that don't know it was this saga that led to Nutt leaving and not what he did on the field. There is something much deeper going on here than many outside the state realize. For those that don't know Fayetteville is located in Northwest Arkansas near Springdale and the Wal-Mart and JB Hunt home offices and about 3 hours from Little Rock and central Arkansas. For much of Arkansas' history the predominant bulk of money in the state was located in central Arkansas and that is were the majority of booster support came from. What has transpired over the last 10-15 years is a shift in financial power due in large part to Wal Mart were the majority of the money in the state is now coming from Northwest Arkansas and this is causing a little tug of war between Central Arkansas and NW Arkansas over games and other matters. When Nutt collided with the Springdale crew, which is were the OC and top recruit players are from, it was the last straw for the NW Arkansas backers who used this situation to first oust Broyles and now Nutt.For the record while I'm very excited about Petrino I don't dislike Nutt. If you talked to most Razorback fans most would tell you we pretty much liked Nutt but were so unhappy with the lack of improvement in the passing game ,overall predictable game plan and poor bowl performances. The situation with Mustain and Malzhan is a little tricky and I can see both sides. Malzhan is a very talented OC but several reports state he often would go behind Nutt's back and complain to Broyles that Nutt was not letting him implement enough of his offense. IMO Malzhan should have been more loyal and thankful to Nutt for giving him first college gig but instead, if reports are true, he tried to stab him in the back. As for Mustain, who I'm not convinced is worthy of the hype, he just came off as selfish. Apparently he was running off at the mouth during the season when Arkansas was 10-1 and complaining he was not allowed to throw it more despite the fact the Hogs sport the best RB tandem in college and he was just a true freshman. I'll cut the kid some slack that maybe he was mislead that Arkansas was going to open it up more than they did but to start griping 11 games into your freshman season when the team is doing great to me says a lot about his character. So while Hog fans were frustrated with our lack of passing attack, predictable play calling and poor bowl performances I firmly believe not only would Nutt still be the HC but Broyles would still be the AD if not for this situation. I think Petrino is a great hire but I hope Hog fans can be patient because they are not only losing a lot but they don't have the players to run Petrino's system and that's going to take some time to come together.

 

[flapgreen]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.

The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.

But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.

Just my .02.

J

I wouldn't compare those two at all, Joe. Barry stuck it out for years with the terrible Lions. He gave that team everything he had and got little in return. Petrino is quitting before his first season is even finished. Nothing more than a quitter to me.

 

[Joe Bryant]

MiamiNYJSFCARKCBALDETWASAll of these are teams that need a lot of work still, and have for a long time, much like the Falcons. In fact, outside of CAR and maybe BAL, all of had less success in the 2000s than the Falcons. Without doing any research, I bet I could make a case that we've had more recent success than any. We lost Vick. That's it. That's all. One freakin' guy. Reasons the Falcons are not some forlorn, lost, red-headed step-childeAngelo Hall (CB)Rod Coleman (DT)Jerious Norwood (RB)Michael Boley (LB)DeMorrio Williams (LB)Trey Lewis (DT)John Abraham (DE)Jamaal Anderson (DE)David Irons (CB)Chris Houston (CB)(I know, but he's a good man-to-man guy and struggling with the zone. And he's still a rook).Darren Stone (S)Justin Blalock (OG)Alge Crumpler (TE)Roddy White (WR)Laurent Robinson (WR)Stephen Nicholas (LB)/Not getting in your face, Joe, just really don't get this "worst HC job in the NFL" line. Plus, I might be a tad emotional over this latest development.

To be clear, I said one of the worst. Not worst.But in my opinion, the Falcons job is clearly worse than all of those except maybe Miami. A lot of it is prestige and fan support as well. I mean the Redskins are struggling but that is a historic franchise. People actually wait for season tickets. Just not the same buzz for the Falcons. On the plus side, Atlanta's a good city. The ownership is solid. I don't mean to dog your team. I like the Falcons. But unless Mr. Blank goes beserk with the checkbook, I think it's realistically going to be a tough sell for a new HC. Hope they get a great one though.J

 

[Joe Bryant]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.

The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.

But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.

Just my .02.

J

I wouldn't compare those two at all, Joe. Barry stuck it out for years with the terrible Lions. He gave that team everything he had and got little in return. Petrino is quitting before his first season is even finished. Nothing more than a quitter to me.

Sure, previous time not considered. But both quit.As far as how much they let the team down, I'd say Sanders quitting did more to hurt the team.

J

 

[Joe Bryant]

On the upside, I thought DeAngelo Hall handled his phone interview extremely well on NFL Total Access. He could have dogged Petrino and did not.

J

 

[Max Power]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.

The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.

But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.

Just my .02.

J

I wouldn't compare those two at all, Joe. Barry stuck it out for years with the terrible Lions. He gave that team everything he had and got little in return. Petrino is quitting before his first season is even finished. Nothing more than a quitter to me.

Sure, previous time not considered. But both quit.As far as how much they let the team down, I'd say Sanders quitting did more to hurt the team.

J

Sanders retired...Petrino left his team mid season for another. Totally different, and shouldn't even be lumped in the same sentence.

 

[Paddy O'Seanessy]

Does anyone know how Vick's contract affects their cap? Is it null and void? They should have some money to pull in some FA's.

I read that they have to get the money back to get cap relief. The most recent ruling said Vick doesn't owe it to them.

 

[Clayton Gray]

How factual is the email his wife allegedly sent laughing about the mom getting beat up?

100%

But even with that, am I understanding correctly that a friend of Nutt's wrote the mean email to the QB? And that Nutt reprimanded the friend and made him apologize?They now hate him for this?

She was made to apologize after incident made the news.

 

[Clayton Gray]

Chris Houston (CB)(I know, but he's a good man-to-man guy and struggling with the zone. And he's still a rook).

He probably played 99% man in college, so he's simply inexperienced with zone. I think he'll eventually get it.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Arkansas is a pretty good coaching job. Given all the variables here, can't say I blame him.

STRONGLY disagreed. Arkansas would be a good coaching job if its fans weren't INSANE. They're a solid program with good resources, but they think they're an Alabama, Michigan, or Oklahoma, and they're just not. Houston Nutt made the SEC Championship Game in a year that was predicted to be a mediocre one, and Hogs fans were IMMEDIATELY doing everything they could to push him out. It's like they think they should be contending for National Championships at least twice a decade or something, which is reasonable if you're FSU, but not if you're Arkansas.

As an Arkansas Alum I assure you that you are dead wrong. We are not insane but passionate and knowledgeable. You sound like one of those national media people who point at our record and and say Nutt's job should be safe but the people who watch the games know better. One thing those of us who actually watched Arkansas play could tell you is we failed to maximize the career of Mcfadden because Nutt does not know how to put a passing attack together with the final straw coming when his ego got in the way and he chased off a hot up and coming OC and a guy who was the #1 rated QB in the nation coming out of HS. Not to mention a highly regarded WR who went with the QB to USC. Essentially Nutt had two great college players at his disposal, Matt Jones and Mcfadden. Those two players were so skilled at the college level that they masked Nutt's inability to put a quality offense together and we know this. The fact that Tuberville and Tommy Bowden considered leaving their jobs until both schools had to step up and increase their pay and Petrino is quitting the Falcons to run to Arkansas should tell you what kind of job it is. The facilities at Arkansas are truly second to none. Our stadium is not the biggest but it's over 70,000, about to expand to 90,000, and several people have commented it's the nicest stadium in the SEC. As someone pointed out before Arkansas used to compete for the National Championship at least twice a decade so you will have to pardon us while we think we can do it again. After all, the university has done it before,has dominated track and field for years and for a long stretch in the 90's fielded the best college basketball team in the nation.As a Hog fan and Norwood owner I can't imagine better news today.

Umm, what exactly is that long stretch? 3 Final 4s in the Nolan era, with a championship in 94, and a return to the title game in 95. Sorry, but the early 90s were certainly the Duke era and the late 90s were dominated by Kentucky. Its these kind of statements that get people scratching their heads at Arkansas fans. You were a top program for a few years, but it was hardly sustained.Also, the last time Arkansas football was nationally relevant was in the early 60s. Things have changed dramatically since then. Is it possible for the school to become a power? Sure, but there are quite a few other SEC programs that will have something to say about that.

You have no idea what you are talking about. I'm not sure which year the Hogs stopped being the winningest team in the 90's but it was 1996 or 1997. Either way, they were the winningest team in college basketall for at least the first 6-7 years in the 90's which I properly defined as a long stretch.

This statement seems very misleading to me. Duke had the most wins through the first four, so what if you passed them in the 5th just to be pass during the 6th year. You held the most wins for like a moment in the big picture of things.1990 - 1991 Duke 32, Arkansas 34, Kentucky 22

1991 - 1992 Duke 34, Arkansas 26, Kentucky 29

1992 - 1993 Duke 24, Arkansas 22, Kentucky 30

1993 - 1994 Duke 28, Arkansas 31, Kentucky 27

1994 - 1995 Duke 13, Arkansas 32, Kentucky 28

1995 - 1996 Duke 18, Arkansas 20, Kentucky 34

Had lead year one, lost it year two, didn't regain it until year 5, and then were passed by Kentucky the next year.

1990 - 1991 Arkansas 34, Duke 32, Kentucky 22

1990 - 1992 Duke 64, Arkansas 60, Kentucky 51

1990 - 1993 Duke 88, Arkansas 82, Kentucky 81

1990 - 1994 Duke 116, Arkansas 113, Kentucky 108

1990 - 1995 Arkansas 145, Kentucky 136, Duke 129

1990 - 1996 Kentucky 170, Arkansas 165, Duke 147

It's pretty misleading to say they led the first five years, imo, when they had to over take a team that 5th year and then couldn't hold it for a second straight season. Duke held the title for 3 straight and I'm sure Kentucky with 2 straight 35 win seasons were holding it for a few straight. Arkansas couldn't hold it for even two straight.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.

The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.

But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.

Just my .02.

J

I wouldn't compare those two at all, Joe. Barry stuck it out for years with the terrible Lions. He gave that team everything he had and got little in return. Petrino is quitting before his first season is even finished. Nothing more than a quitter to me.

Sure, previous time not considered. But both quit.As far as how much they let the team down, I'd say Sanders quitting did more to hurt the team.

J

Sanders retired...Petrino left his team mid season for another. Totally different, and shouldn't even be lumped in the same sentence.

Of course they're not the same. Both guys quit though.And I would say that Sanders quitting right before camp opened did more damage to his team than Petrino quitting did.

J

 

[fatness]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.Just my .02.J

They're both doing it to better their careers, either in terms of money or satisfaction, or both. But there certainly are differences. When a coach quits, it's final, it's not for leverage like a holdout. And the coach can go many other places in US football and work, for good money. Players don't have that luxury, they're bound to a team. A player holding out is risking more than is a coach quitting. The player can remain held out and make no money, can come back with a new contract or promise thereof, can come back and be buried on a depth chart. Petrino (apparently) quit for another job.

 

[-OZ-]

To be clear, I said one of the worst. Not worst.

But in my opinion, the Falcons job is clearly worse than all of those except maybe Miami. A lot of it is prestige and fan support as well. I mean the Redskins are struggling but that is a historic franchise. People actually wait for season tickets. Just not the same buzz for the Falcons.

On the plus side, Atlanta's a good city. The ownership is solid.

I don't mean to dog your team. I like the Falcons. But unless Mr. Blank goes beserk with the checkbook, I think it's realistically going to be a tough sell for a new HC. Hope they get a great one though.

J

 

[Joe Bryant]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.Just my .02.J

They're both doing it to better their careers, either in terms of money or satisfaction, or both. But there certainly are differences. When a coach quits, it's final, it's not for leverage like a holdout. And the coach can go many other places in US football and work, for good money. Players don't have that luxury, they're bound to a team. A player holding out is risking more than is a coach quitting. The player can remain held out and make no money, can come back with a new contract or promise thereof, can come back and be buried on a depth chart. Petrino (apparently) quit for another job.

I don't disagree.J

 

[JohnnyU]

Arkansas = Yuck.

What has that school contributed to the NFL? Dan Hampton :thumbsup: & Matt Jones = More Yuck.

Brandon Burlsworth would have been a HOF'er.

RIP

I can't say I know/remember who he was.just looking at the past NFL prospects from Arkansas and recent winning %, I find it hard to buy that the U of A job is very coveted.

all signs point to Petrino quiting on this team. Not my Idea of a leader. Enjoy Arkansas fans.

Brandon Burlsworth...aka Drew Carey

 

[Max Power]

I wonder if any of the people giving Petrino a pass on leaving are critical of players who hold out because they're not honoring their contracts.

Doesn't that feel sort of different though, fatness?Petrino is basically quitting. More like a Barry Sanders thing.

The holdout guy is saying more, I'm not going to honor what I signed, I want to stay and I want you to pay me more.

But as more people see the owner side and how they basically do the same thing, I think more people are becoming less critical of the holdout players.

Just my .02.

J

I wouldn't compare those two at all, Joe. Barry stuck it out for years with the terrible Lions. He gave that team everything he had and got little in return. Petrino is quitting before his first season is even finished. Nothing more than a quitter to me.

Sure, previous time not considered. But both quit.As far as how much they let the team down, I'd say Sanders quitting did more to hurt the team.

J

Sanders retired...Petrino left his team mid season for another. Totally different, and shouldn't even be lumped in the same sentence.

Of course they're not the same. Both guys quit though.And I would say that Sanders quitting right before camp opened did more damage to his team than Petrino quitting did.

J

Joe, its terrible you have to think like that. While I do agree that Sanders Retirement hurt his organization more, to bring up Barry in this convo was unnecessary. I mean are you calling Priest Holmes a quiter too?

 

[FTRWRTR]

If Blank wants to fill some of those empty seats he's gonna have to pony up some dough for a name that will sell tickets. I don't think a first timer is gonna help them pull out of thier financial black hole that 08 will be.

I'm sure most ppl outside the state of georgia think this but IMO that's not the case. The falcons have dj shockley who I consider to be "vick-lite"(not as elusive but a better passer) who qb'ed for the University of Georgia a few seasons ago. I'm convinced if he doesn't tear his acl in the preseason that he would've been the falcon's starting qb this season and they would've contended for at least a wildcard spot and kept that stadium full

See, there's another thing people keep assuming. Why is this the worst HC job in the NFL? Seriously. Don't look at the record, there is a good bit of talent here, especially on defense. We are in desperate need of some o-lineman, and have been for a long time, but what makes this job so undesirable? As I recall, before Vick came along, Reeves took this franchise to a Superbowl.

I agree...good talent on both sides of the ball and two of their best offensive players didn't play much. Shockley because of injury and norwood because petrino was too stupid to play him

 

[vacaver1]

PFT reporting/speculating (fwiw):

SINGLETARY EMERGES AS EARLY FAVORITE TO REPLACE PETRINO

An industry source tells us that 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary is the guy whose name has initially popped up in discussions regarding the potential successor to former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino.

Per the source, Blank wants Singletary; Petrino was hired at the behest of G.M. Rich McKay.

There are multiple potential benefits that would flow from such a move. First, Singletary will be (in our view ) a great NFL head coach. Second, the thinking is that he'll straighten out a dysfunctional locker room. Third, the Falcons have the highest concentration of African-American season-ticket holders at 52 percent; in the wake of the Mike Vick fiasco the hiring of an African-American coach could go a long way toward reconnecting with an important segment of the Atlanta fan base.

In our view, however, skin color shouldn't be a factor in any hiring decision. The best person should get the job. But it would be naive to think that Blank isn't thinking about the potential impact of hiring a coach who is of the same race as a majority of the season-ticket holders, especially as the franchise moves forward without a player who is still beloved by many Falcons fans, whether white, black, purple, green, yellow, or red.

Stay tuned.

 

[Phlash]

Ugh, I don't want to see Singletary's coaching career get hurt by coaching this terrible team. It could be a potentially dangerous career move, and I am really rooting for Singletary to succeed as a coach.

 

[FTRWRTR]

Oh how I hope that's true...I love a good defense and singletary would certainly bring that.

 

[mad sweeney]

Ugh, I don't want to see Singletary's coaching career get hurt by coaching this terrible team. It could be a potentially dangerous career move, and I am really rooting for Singletary to succeed as a coach.

Could also be a career maker if he does well. But these "offensive" or "defensive" guys seem to do well with the opposite side of the ball (Billick, Lovie)

 

[Homer]

I'm not sure what Atlanta expected from a guy that turned around and bailed on Lousiville after they gave him a HUGE big money extension less than 6 months before he jumped to the Falcons. They got punked after they assisted him in punking Lousiville. Karma?

Petrino sounds like he has a lot of Larry Brown in him, and that's probably not a good thing. But if he keeps putting up results there will always be somebody desperate enough to take a chance.

I liked SSOG's perspective about the Arkansas job and that they SHOULD have been happy as PIGS IN SLOP for the results Nutt produced there. SSOG's right -- it's going to be tough for anybody to field consistent winners in the SEC with their murderous conference schedule, and to expect otherwise is "nutty". But I was floored by the gossip reported by the Arkansas homers about the infighting behind the scenes. I'm sure soap operas exist in many college programs, but it's rare when a winning coach gets run out of town on a rail over it.

Re: the Falcons job, I'm sure the Jason Garretts of the world are going to have much more attractive opportunities.

As a Norwood fan, I have to say Petrino leaving is a clear case of GOOD RIDDANCE! Why he devoted so much energy in to changing QB's every 5 minutes when Dunn never came close to a demotion despite HORRIBLE rushing numbers compared to Norwood's BIG numbers is a big mystery to me. I asked in the game thread last night why the ATL media wasn't beating him over the head with that question?

 

[Stealthycat]

I'm Arkansas thru and thru

Nutt didn't have an offense play in his body - he's a great HC, he's a good recruiter (not great) and he runs the ball - that results in 7-8 wins a year.

We want more.

Who doesn't ? But the kicekr is, we have top facilities, a top fan base, with Wal-mart, tyson, Hunt etc we got the money ..... now we've got a big name coach as well.

I watched the press conference I like what I see.

I liked Nutt, but we should have been an 11-1 maybe a 12-0 team this year. Hell we had 8 games at HOME, we had 4 cream puffs on our scheudle, we had dual 1,000 yard rushers and in the 4 games we lost we had 4th quarter leads and poor play calling down the stretch.

Nutt's time had run out - thanks Houston for the years you gave us. Welcome Bobby !

 

[FTRWRTR]

I asked in the game thread last night why the ATL media wasn't beating him over the head with that question?

The vick sago really covered petrino's ###. His mishandling of the qbs, not playing norwood, his losing the players, and the terrible managment of the clock in the MNF game were all overlooked by both the national and local media because everyone was focused on what was happening with vick.

 

[FTRWRTR]

I'm Arkansas thru and thruNutt didn't have an offense play in his body - he's a great HC, he's a good recruiter (not great) and he runs the ball - that results in 7-8 wins a year. We want more.Who doesn't ? But the kicekr is, we have top facilities, a top fan base, with Wal-mart, tyson, Hunt etc we got the money ..... now we've got a big name coach as well.I watched the press conference I like what I see. I liked Nutt, but we should have been an 11-1 maybe a 12-0 team this year. Hell we had 8 games at HOME, we had 4 cream puffs on our scheudle, we had dual 1,000 yard rushers and in the 4 games we lost we had 4th quarter leads and poor play calling down the stretch.Nutt's time had run out - thanks Houston for the years you gave us. Welcome Bobby !

I can understand wanting to win a ton of games and contend for the nat'l championship every year but as others have said that's not realistic when you're talking about having to play in the SEC. And no offense to you or any other razorback fans but how many elite recruits do you think will pass up the chance to play for LSU, Tenn, Georgia, or Florida for you guys? Not to mention the other great schools not in the SEC they could play for. Running a HC out of town for only being able to win 7 or 8 games reminds me of how Nebraska ran off frank solich after he went 9 - 3 and look how that turned out.

 

[Barry]

Good for Petrino. If he doesn't want to coach the Falcons, quitting is the right choice. The only thing that matters is his own happiness. To suggest quitting is unnoble or cowardly is absurd.

 

[Shiver44]

I think Atlanta should thank Petrino. It was a disastrous hire to begin with, and everyone realized once the season started:

"This is the worst year I've ever had in football," one veteran player said. "It's just miserable. I think (Petrino) had a clue about offense, but he couldn't communicate with anybody. You'd talk to him and it was almost as if he would stare at you and not get what you were talking about. He's a strange guy."

That player went even further, claiming that Atlanta owner Arthur Blank had told some of the veteran leaders on the team, including Crumpler and running back Warrick Dunn, that the team had made a mistake in hiring Petrino.

Yahoo! SportsThis move also spells the end of Rich McKay. According to Pro Football Talk Blank wanted to hire Singletary, but McKay pushed for Petrino. Both Fox Sports' Czar and PFW also report that Rich McKay will be on his way out.

As for the Falcons coaching search: I think that Atlanta can turn things around quickly if things are done correctly. They have a team full of players in their first three years in the league; including players like Michael Boley, Roddy White, and DeAngelo Hall who have great futures ahead of them. They also have nine picks in the upcoming NFL Draft; including the 3rd (?) overall pick and two 2nd round picks. They won't be good next year, but if they get a good coach and QB they should be a contender in '09. Quick turnarounds are how the NFL works.

 

[Truman]

The difference between Petrino and Saban, Petrino- Offered different job, took it and said he was taking it = honest.Saban- Offered different job, hides it says he is not even interested then takes it = LIAR.One guy makes a decision and owns it. The other makes his decision, hides it like a child, lies about it when asked directly and eventually is outted for it like the punk he is.Like him or not this situation was handled by Petrino like a man. He saw a better job ( in his eyes) and jumped on it. There was no hiding or dishonesty. Cannot say the same for Saban.

Bobby Petrino has denied repeatedly in recent weeks that he was in contact with Arkansas officials.It was handled by Petrino like a #####.

 

[Truman]

Good for Petrino. If he doesn't want to coach the Falcons, quitting is the right choice. The only thing that matters is his own happiness. To suggest quitting is unnoble or cowardly is absurd.

That's the most selfish statement I've ever seen.How about honesty, committment, loyalty?

 

[Truman]

Oh look, an article from 2 weeks ago:

Flowery Branch -- Amid the wave of college head coach vacancies the past few days, Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said Monday that he does not want to get into any "speculation and rumors" about leaving his current job to coach again in college next season.

Team owner Arthur Blank did.

"The record's not going well, he came out of college and plus, with what happened with Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban, it was a normal question, so I asked him about it," Blank said.

And?

"He's been very clear with me," Blank said. "He loves Atlanta and he loves the organization. Obviously he's disappointed in what happened to Michael Vick, but he has great confidence with myself, with [president/general manager] Rich McKay and the coaching staff to put together a winner and be here many years.

"He told me this is where he wants to be and that his work is just beginning."

Blank said he had no evidence to show that Petrino was putting out feelers or if college programs were trying to contact him. He simply asked Petrino about his plans based on speculation.

"I haven't given that one bit of thought," Petrino said about possibly returning to college coaching. "I certainly don't want to get into any speculation and rumors and having to deal with that. I am focused on our football team here. I'm focused on playing the Rams this week."

Though he did not give a definitive answer, Petrino, who was signed to a five-year, $24 million contract in January, said that he hoped the 3-8 team could finish out the season on a winning "run" to establish momentum going into next season.

He added that he, his coaches and members of the personnel department would need to figure out a plan moving forward in the offseason. Petrino declined to elaborate on much more than that.

"We've got to do that," Petrino said of advancing his blueprint for 2008. "Right now, what we're trying to do is focus on the game we're playing that week."

The Falcons hired Petrino to his first NFL head coaching job with hopes that he would inject offensive life into a team that failed to make the playoffs for two straight years.

Blank and McKay looked past the plights of Saban, Spurrier, Butch Davis and other college coaches who struggled making the switch to the NFL and ended up returning to coach in college. That history, and Petrino's nomadic past, appear to be fueling some of the speculation.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/fal...lcons_1127.html

 

[Joe Bryant]

I liked Nutt, but we should have been an 11-1 maybe a 12-0 team this year.

snip

Welcome Bobby !

I wonder if he knows what he's gotten himself into. This isn't Louisville anymore...Should be interesting to watch.

J

 

[Stealthycat]

Arkansas can get the talent with Petrino I think. He's coming to a school with fantastic facilities, a loyal fan base, a good tradition of football, he knows whats ahead of him.

We've had some good years with Holtz, Hatfield, Nutt ..... we'll have some more with Petrino too. Cubbards aren't bare, we've got talent back.

Talent don't win your games though, NUTT proved that.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Falcons fans caught a break with this. Petrino obviously isn't a man of character, so let him slink back to college. Who wants a guy who can't finish even one season? He wasn't good enough for the NFL, he knew it, so he's going back where he belongs. Atlanta is a professional football team, and they deserve a professional coach. Not everyone can make it in the big leagues, so at least the team's fans don't have to waste their time with him.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Within the past two years, both Missouri and Arkansas have missed out on a BCS bowl after a great (and totally unexpected) season because they lost their league championship game (a game that no one even gave them a chance of making in the first place). One team did everything in its power to run its coach out on a rail afterwards, and the other did not. That's the difference between Missouri and Arkansas.

You need to research the reason many fans turned on Houston Nutt despite an excellent season.

I know the reason why fans turned on Nutt. He wasn't playing the hot-shot freshman QB enough (even though the vet was outperforming the freshman and giving them a better chance to win). His offense wasn't passing enough (even though his offense was tearing teams apart on its way to the SECCG). His offensive coordinator defected (even though his offensive coordinator was a guy coaching HIGH SCHOOL the year before, with zero college experience). A bunch of the players parents overreacted in a dramatic fashion (which is to be expected given how much hype their children had been getting, but is still LUDICROUS given what their children had accomplished on the field). For an idea of how bad of a coach Nutt was, take a look at how long he lasted on the open market.

You're aware of the situation, yet you really don't know.Carry on.

Clayton if you don't mind can you tell the rest of us what really went on?

In the late winter / early spring of 2006 and after back-to-back losing seasons, Nutt's job was on the line. Most observers didn't think he was a capable offensive play-caller and felt an offense coordinator was needed.It just so happened that nearby Springdale High School had just finished an amazing 2005 season where they ran through the largest classification in the state. They were ranked in almost every national top 10 poll and had the Gatorade HS Player Of the Year in quarterback Mitch Mustain. They also had two WRs, a TE, and an OT that were getting multiple major college offers. Oh, they also had a head coach that was widely considered to be a passing-game genius (because in Arkansas, if you can write a book, you must be a genius) in Gus Malzahn.It is generally accepted that athletic director Frank Broyles told Nutt to hire Malzahn as Arkansas' offensive coordinator. Arkansas also ended up getting every player except for the OT, who went to Notre Dame. Prior to the 2006 season, it was hotly debated whether Malzahn would have total control of the offense. It turns out that Malzahn was treated as nothing more than an adviser to suggest improvements for the overall offense. (I have a friend that works for the e-mailer referenced below. This friend told me prior to the 2006 season that Houston Nutt told the e-mailer that Malzahn would be OC in name only and that Nutt would OK the play-calling. I didn't believe it at the time as I had no idea the e-mailer was so deeply connected to the Nutt family.)A writer followed Mitch Mustain and some of his teammates around during their recruiting process and wrote a book about it. In the book, Mustain was quoted as calling Houston Nutt a "dork".A close friend of Nutt sent a profanity-laced e-mail to Mustain telling him to leave the program. Nutt eventually made the person write an apology to Mustain a couple weeks after the player's mom asked what was being done. Nutt also told this person to not send any e-mails to any other players. This person still has sideline access during games (even last season immediately after the e-mail incident was reported).In that e-mail, the person said Mustain needed to have a "Code Red" (called by the team to clear the air on losing, attitudes, whatever) called on him regarding the comments in the book. The next day, senior LB Sam Olajabutu called a Code Red on Mustain over the comments.A few years ago, Mustain's mom was beaten up by two tenants at her rental home (no, not blaming Nutt for this). However, last season, Houston Nutt's wife e-mailed friends joking about how funny it was that the player's mom had been beaten up and that she wished she could have gotten in on it.After the very successful (which is kind of amazing considering all of the internal squabbling that went on) 2006 season, Nutt informed Malzahn that he was bringing in David Lee from the Dallas Cowboys to be co-offensive coordinator and that Lee would be in charge of the offense. About a week later, Malzahn bolted to Tulsa and is leading an offense that is averaging over 530 yards per game this season. Three of the Springdale players also transferred: one to Tulsa (I believe) and two (including Mustain) to USC.[Editorial Section]Nutt is notoriously thinned skinned and quite needy of praise. You will rarely, if ever, hear him take the blame for something bad, but he was quick to jump in front of a microphone after one of his play-calls went for a game-winning TD. This season, he has blamed losses on Casey **** (for not scrambling on a called pass play against Alabama), Michael Smith (for fumbling in the first half against Kentucky), David Lee (for not opening up the offense against Auburn), and the entire team (for not being ready to play against Tennessee).Regarding the Mustain / Malzahn saga:While there is no hard evidence, it seems quite likely that Houston Nutt used Malzahn and the Springdale recruits to save his job. Once the Hogs started rolling last season, Nutt felt secure enough in his position to push them out the door. He didn't want Mustain around because of the dork comment. He didn't want Malzahn on staff because Malzahn was getting much praise from Razorback fans.[/Editorial Section]

Hey Clayton,I know you told me this before but I never really got it all.How factual is the email his wife allegedly sent laughing about the mom getting beat up?That is a huge thing to say. Is it pretty well acknowledged this is an undisputable and uncontested fact?I don't know of many programs where the QB could write a book and call his coach a "dork" and still be with the program. But even with that, am I understanding correctly that a friend of Nutt's wrote the mean email to the QB? And that Nutt reprimanded the friend and made him apologize?They now hate him for this?J

Joe,The part about Nutt's wife writing the email about Mitch's mom is FACT.Also, FOIO showed that the email from the staffer was forwarded from Nutt's home to other people, including boosters, all the while, Nutt was claiming to know nothing about it. The reprimand only came after much public pressure and outcry. It was late and minimal. It's been reported here that the apology letter sat on Nutt's desk for a month before it was given to Mustain.And for those who think Malzahn didn't know what he was doing on the college level one year removed from high school fail to remember that he was named Offensive Coordinator of the Year last year for implementing the Wildhog that made Darren McFadden a two-time Heisman runner-up and that his current offense at Tulsa is the top-ranked one in the nation this year. The drama in Fayetteville was so great that ESPN did a three-part special series on it over the summer. It was not a good scene in Fayetteville and Nutt as head coach was responsible.RevDawg

These are true points Red Dawg and for those that don't know it was this saga that led to Nutt leaving and not what he did on the field. There is something much deeper going on here than many outside the state realize. For those that don't know Fayetteville is located in Northwest Arkansas near Springdale and the Wal-Mart and JB Hunt home offices and about 3 hours from Little Rock and central Arkansas. For much of Arkansas' history the predominant bulk of money in the state was located in central Arkansas and that is were the majority of booster support came from. What has transpired over the last 10-15 years is a shift in financial power due in large part to Wal Mart were the majority of the money in the state is now coming from Northwest Arkansas and this is causing a little tug of war between Central Arkansas and NW Arkansas over games and other matters. When Nutt collided with the Springdale crew, which is were the OC and top recruit players are from, it was the last straw for the NW Arkansas backers who used this situation to first oust Broyles and now Nutt.For the record while I'm very excited about Petrino I don't dislike Nutt. If you talked to most Razorback fans most would tell you we pretty much liked Nutt but were so unhappy with the lack of improvement in the passing game ,overall predictable game plan and poor bowl performances. The situation with Mustain and Malzhan is a little tricky and I can see both sides. Malzhan is a very talented OC but several reports state he often would go behind Nutt's back and complain to Broyles that Nutt was not letting him implement enough of his offense. IMO Malzhan should have been more loyal and thankful to Nutt for giving him first college gig but instead, if reports are true, he tried to stab him in the back. As for Mustain, who I'm not convinced is worthy of the hype, he just came off as selfish. Apparently he was running off at the mouth during the season when Arkansas was 10-1 and complaining he was not allowed to throw it more despite the fact the Hogs sport the best RB tandem in college and he was just a true freshman. I'll cut the kid some slack that maybe he was mislead that Arkansas was going to open it up more than they did but to start griping 11 games into your freshman season when the team is doing great to me says a lot about his character. So while Hog fans were frustrated with our lack of passing attack, predictable play calling and poor bowl performances I firmly believe not only would Nutt still be the HC but Broyles would still be the AD if not for this situation. I think Petrino is a great hire but I hope Hog fans can be patient because they are not only losing a lot but they don't have the players to run Petrino's system and that's going to take some time to come together.

This is a great post. Thanks!

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Ugh, I don't want to see Singletary's coaching career get hurt by coaching this terrible team. It could be a potentially dangerous career move, and I am really rooting for Singletary to succeed as a coach.

I was really hoping he would decide he wanted to coach college instead and end up at Penn State.

 

[moondawg]

PETRINO AND SABAN. A COUPLE OF PUNKS!

Good Riddance toolbags.

You're kidding right? Coaching at Alabama is>any NFL jobs and coaching at Arkansas>>>>>coaching in Atlanta. Maybe you don't watch college football or something.

I didnt mean it the way you are interpreting it. I think they are both cowards that ran away when the going got tough. And another thing, what the heck does > mean? better job, harder coaching, nicer weather, fans show up?? What are you talking about?

> is also known as the greater than sign. Thus Alabama is better than any NFL coaching job if you are getting paid like an NFL coach which Saban is. Saban is Saban, he saw the writing on the wall. How can you call a guy a coward based on what you have seen in Miami this year? In college the coach controls everything, I mean everything. In the pros you deal with contracts, GMs, owners, etc. College coaching jobs are IMO better than NFL jobs for the hours, for the support, and for the control. you don't get that in the pros and when you do, you better take full advantage. Petrino signed up for the deluxe hotel package with the in-room sauna and hot tub and he got Motel 6. He's not a coward, he's a smart guy for getting out while he could.

BS Saban and Petrino were in way over their heads so they tucked tail and ran.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Good for Petrino. If he doesn't want to coach the Falcons, quitting is the right choice. The only thing that matters is his own happiness. To suggest quitting is unnoble or cowardly is absurd.

According to Peter King, Blank asked him before the MNF game if he was interested in Arkansas because Blank had been hearing rumors. The turd said no and you think that people calling him a coward is absurd? Summer 2006, signs for 10 years with LouisvilleLast offseason signs 5 year deal with Falcons.Yesterday signs 5 year deal with Arkansas.20 years of contract, 3 different teams in less than a year and a half. THAT'S ABSURD. I don't mind the guy quitting if he doesn't want to coach since that would work for no one but ####ing out to coach somewhere else right away is the part that is ####ty and the fact he couldn't finish the year is pathetic. I don't want to wish ill will on Arkansas fans since it is not their doing at all but I sure won't keep a smile from forming if star (or any)recruits tell this guy he has no integrity and there is no way in hell they will sign a letter of intent with him. If I see this guys track record I know I wouldn't sign with him cause who knows if he will last a year let alone the 4 I should be in college.

 

[Fiddles]

Pasquerelli was on local atl radio this morn and the thing that kept coming up was how did arthur blank become so successful if he is so bad at judging character? Pasquerelli said falcons dont have a list of possible replacements yet as last night they were meeting just to try to decide who would be coaching this weekend. Whoever they hire will be the 4th coach in 6 years. One other thing they mentioned was Mora and Petrino were first year coaches. They were doubting the next hire would be another first year coach. You never know but I wouldn't much stock in that Singletary rumor.

 

[Yenrub]

Does Marty get a call from Blank?

 

[B-Deep]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.

He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.

Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man?

Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

 

[B-Deep]

Good for Petrino. If he doesn't want to coach the Falcons, quitting is the right choice. The only thing that matters is his own happiness. To suggest quitting is unnoble or cowardly is absurd.

According to Peter King, Blank asked him before the MNF game if he was interested in Arkansas because Blank had been hearing rumors. The turd said no and you think that people calling him a coward is absurd? Summer 2006, signs for 10 years with LouisvilleLast offseason signs 5 year deal with Falcons.Yesterday signs 5 year deal with Arkansas.20 years of contract, 3 different teams in less than a year and a half. THAT'S ABSURD. I don't mind the guy quitting if he doesn't want to coach since that would work for no one but ####ing out to coach somewhere else right away is the part that is ####ty and the fact he couldn't finish the year is pathetic. I don't want to wish ill will on Arkansas fans since it is not their doing at all but I sure won't keep a smile from forming if star (or any)recruits tell this guy he has no integrity and there is no way in hell they will sign a letter of intent with him. If I see this guys track record I know I wouldn't sign with him cause who knows if he will last a year let alone the 4 I should be in college.

According to sources, Petrino and his agent have been talking with the Falcons about his preference to return to the college ranks. The former Louisville coach was looking for an opportunity to break into the Southeastern Conference ranks, and Arkansas was a natural fit.maybe king got it wrong? Or maybe Petrino didn't think right before kickoff of the game was the time to resign? He is within his rights to leave when he wants, throwing the lengths of contracts out there is absurd, because we all know either side can end the contract at will, so those contract lengths mean nothing.I just don't get why the "brave" thing to do would be stay in a job you don;t want for 2 more years then quit. That's not brave, it is dumb.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man? Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

Hi Bdeep,I do agree with you that there are two very different ways of reacting to this.Lots of people are But there is a very large group that puts a very high value on the leader of the ship not jumping in the lifeboats first with the rats. It's a hot topic for them. I'm more in the middle and lean to this side a little but I understand both sides.J

 

[Joe Bryant]

Thinking about this more, I put a LOT of stock in the Singletary talk. Everyone knows he got heavy consideration last year. Apparently Blank was talked into Petrino by GM Rich McKay. I'd say McKay is smart enough to keep his mouth shut on this one and hope he doesn't get the axe.

In my eyes, Singletary is by far the front runner here.

J

 

[Phlash]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.

He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.

Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man?

Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

I don't know what you do for a living B-Deep, but if you were to quit your job a replacement can be put in and no one will blink an eye, and I say this with no intent of offending you, as any of us quitting our day jobs are hurting mostly ourselves and one else. However when an NFL head coach quits on his team the consequences resonate well beyond just him. Fan support will dwindle, players will be distraught and many will likely lose their jobs, and it can cause turmoil that can cripple a franchise for years. There is a lot of money to be lost from him quitting. I won't even touch up on the subject of him lieing to his boss (or should I say bosses since this isn't the first time this has happened). Petrino is scum, a classless loser who while a great head coach lacks the character and honesty that would make him a trustworthy person. Good riddance... the Falcons don't jokes like him and Mora to be coaching their team.

 

[B-Deep]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man? Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

Hi Bdeep,I do agree with you that there are two very different ways of reacting to this.Lots of people are But there is a very large group that puts a very high value on the leader of the ship not jumping in the lifeboats first with the rats. It's a hot topic for them. I'm more in the middle and lean to this side a little but I understand both sides.J

I just don't think that 3 more games on a team going nowhere when his heart is not in it and he knows he is going to leave does not make a difference.If this were a contending team I'd agree, but the falcons are a wreck and their season is over, why not get the jump on finding a new coach

 

[B-Deep]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man? Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

I don't know what you do for a living B-Deep, but if you were to quit your job a replacement can be put in and no one will blink an eye, and I say this with no intent of offending you, as any of us quitting our day jobs are hurting mostly ourselves and one else. However when an NFL head coach quits on his team the consequences resonate well beyond just him. Fan suport will dwindle, players will be distraught and many will likely lose their jobs, and it can cause turmoil that reaches well. There is a lot of money to be LOST from him quitting. I won't even touch up on the subject of him lieing to his boss (or should I say bosses since this isn't the first time this has happened). Petrino is scum, a classless loser who while a great head coach lacks the character and honesty that would make him a trustworthy person. Good riddance... the Falcons don't jokes like him and Mora to be coaching their team.

You made a lot of assumptions in there. Many times someone has quit and it has hurt the company I work for, or myself directly.So, he should have kept a job he didn't want? You think him staying there out of some sense of responsibility when his hear is elsewhere would be the formula for coaching success?When do you think it IS acceptable for an NFL coach to quit? The consequences you listed are going to happen anytime a coach quits, mid season, season end, anytime a coach says "I want to go someplace else". Can coaches never quit?If you want to say petrino was a bad hire, I am all about it, but he is not a coward for going to a place where he would rather be. That's america.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man? Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

Hi Bdeep,I do agree with you that there are two very different ways of reacting to this.Lots of people are But there is a very large group that puts a very high value on the leader of the ship not jumping in the lifeboats first with the rats. It's a hot topic for them. I'm more in the middle and lean to this side a little but I understand both sides.J

I just don't think that 3 more games on a team going nowhere when his heart is not in it and he knows he is going to leave does not make a difference.If this were a contending team I'd agree, but the falcons are a wreck and their season is over, why not get the jump on finding a new coach

"You don't quit your job because you don't like it, you just go in and do it really half-assed"

 

[Master of Past and Present]

I just don't get the hate for this guy.He took a job, he job changed a lot, he decided it was not what he wanted. If I don't like my job so I quit and go to a job I enjoy more am I a coward? Is trying to make your life more enjoyable somehow not manly? That makes no sense.Sounds like he was up front with the team about it, and when a job that he'd be happy in came along he jumped. Why would staying in a job you don't like for 2 years and not giving your all make you more of a man? Good luck to him, I hope his new job makes him happy, and the falcons and their fans need to move on.

I don't know what you do for a living B-Deep, but if you were to quit your job a replacement can be put in and no one will blink an eye, and I say this with no intent of offending you, as any of us quitting our day jobs are hurting mostly ourselves and one else. However when an NFL head coach quits on his team the consequences resonate well beyond just him. Fan suport will dwindle, players will be distraught and many will likely lose their jobs, and it can cause turmoil that reaches well. There is a lot of money to be LOST from him quitting. I won't even touch up on the subject of him lieing to his boss (or should I say bosses since this isn't the first time this has happened). Petrino is scum, a classless loser who while a great head coach lacks the character and honesty that would make him a trustworthy person. Good riddance... the Falcons don't jokes like him and Mora to be coaching their team.

You made a lot of assumptions in there. Many times someone has quit and it has hurt the company I work for, or myself directly.So, he should have kept a job he didn't want? You think him staying there out of some sense of responsibility when his hear is elsewhere would be the formula for coaching success?When do you think it IS acceptable for an NFL coach to quit? The consequences you listed are going to happen anytime a coach quits, mid season, season end, anytime a coach says "I want to go someplace else". Can coaches never quit?If you want to say petrino was a bad hire, I am all about it, but he is not a coward for going to a place where he would rather be. That's america.

If a team fires him, he gets paid. That's the bad part about the team wanting rid of him too soon. This guy gets to quit and he has really no downside. And I don't see how you take the stance he was up front with the team. All reports so far say he LIED to Blank when Blank asked him about rumors. How is that up front? The interviews I have heard from players so far seem to indicate they are surprised. If he was up front, why are players on his team surprised?