Bobby Petrino to step down (1 Viewer)

[B-Deep]

I really don't get why anyone would want petrino to agree to terms with arkansas, want to leave, and coach the last 3 games out of some sense of duty. What does that accomplish for him or the Falcons? They can now start their coaching search today, that's an advantage. Id rather have him be up front and say "i want out" han continue working when his heart is not in it.

 

[yellowdog]

Arthur Blank is currently ripping Petrino in hhis news conference.

 

[siffoin]

IMO - The Vick fiasco rest solely on the shoulders of the person that signed the trade papers for Schaub. Vick's style of play always left him open to injury anyway. I don't follow the Falcons that closely so I don't know if Petrino was involved then or if the draft changes improved them in other areas. The QB hit combined with an inept NFL coach left them doomed in 2007.

Well Schaub was going to be a FA after the 07 season. The Falcons felt getting 2 2nd rounders and moving up in the 1st round was worth it. And it was. They were unaware Vick was engaged in felony activity, they also had Shockly who they felt could come in an compete in addition to Harrington to serve as a backup if Vick were to suffer an injury.

What occurred to the Falcons this season is a near worst case scenario (the worst being a team plane going down). The face of the franchise is accused, convicted and sentenced as a felon all since training camp began. A switch from a zone block scheme to a power block scheme in which they didn't have the personnel to make the switch. The OL and DL decimated by injury, and a coach who quit on them. Any one of the factors would kill any team. I really don;t think you can blame the owner or management. This is a case of terrible terrible luck to a historically terribly unlucky franchise.

There is some hope for the Falcons. They do have some talent on the team in places. They will have a lot of drafts picks, and will be picking in a good slot. They have a thoughtful owner who will probably open his checkbook far and wide to right the franchise. The next coach will have the best opportunity of any job to build a team how he wants it built and will be given all of the tools and control needed to succeed. I'm not sure what the status of Vick returning his signing bonus to the team means, but I would guess if possible the league and its owners will be sympathetic to the Falcons- because stronger teams make for a stronger league. It wasn't that long ago the Chargers were considered the worst franchise in the NFL. Things can and do change rapidly in the NFL. But after the shock of this season there will most likely be a ray of hope.

 

[switz]

June Jones? He has Atlanta ties and they have the WR corp to run his silly offense. Or are the Falcons still too burned by the last hot shot college coach?

Please no no no no no June Jones SUCKS

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Arthur Blank is currently ripping Petrino in hhis news conference.

Interesting. Did he take any responsibility for hiring the guy?

 

[mad sweeney]

With all the crap the Falcons have gone through from Vick through Petrino, I have one question.

What the hell is that dirt on Blank's upper lip?

 

[PatrickT]

IMO - The Vick fiasco rest solely on the shoulders of the person that signed the trade papers for Schaub. Vick's style of play always left him open to injury anyway. I don't follow the Falcons that closely so I don't know if Petrino was involved then or if the draft changes improved them in other areas. The QB hit combined with an inept NFL coach left them doomed in 2007.

Well Schaub was going to be a FA after the 07 season. The Falcons felt getting 2 2nd rounders and moving up in the 1st round was worth it. And it was. They were unaware Vick was engaged in felony activity, they also had Shockly who they felt could come in an compete in addition to Harrington to serve as a backup if Vick were to suffer an injury.

What occurred to the Falcons this season is a near worst case scenario (the worst being a team plane going down). The face of the franchise is accused, convicted and sentenced as a felon all since training camp began. A switch from a zone block scheme to a power block scheme in which they didn't have the personnel to make the switch. The OL and DL decimated by injury, and a coach who quit on them. Any one of the factors would kill any team. I really don;t think you can blame the owner or management. This is a case of terrible terrible luck to a historically terribly unlucky franchise.

There is some hope for the Falcons. They do have some talent on the team in places. They will have a lot of drafts picks, and will be picking in a good slot. They have a thoughtful owner who will probably open his checkbook far and wide to right the franchise. The next coach will have the best opportunity of any job to build a team how he wants it built and will be given all of the tools and control needed to succeed. I'm not sure what the status of Vick returning his signing bonus to the team means, but I would guess if possible the league and its owners will be sympathetic to the Falcons- because stronger teams make for a stronger league. It wasn't that long ago the Chargers were considered the worst franchise in the NFL. Things can and do change rapidly in the NFL. But after the shock of this season there will most likely be a ray of hope.

Well said.

 

[mad sweeney]

IMO - The Vick fiasco rest solely on the shoulders of the person that signed the trade papers for Schaub. Vick's style of play always left him open to injury anyway. I don't follow the Falcons that closely so I don't know if Petrino was involved then or if the draft changes improved them in other areas. The QB hit combined with an inept NFL coach left them doomed in 2007.

Well Schaub was going to be a FA after the 07 season. The Falcons felt getting 2 2nd rounders and moving up in the 1st round was worth it. And it was. They were unaware Vick was engaged in felony activity, they also had Shockly who they felt could come in an compete in addition to Harrington to serve as a backup if Vick were to suffer an injury.

What occurred to the Falcons this season is a near worst case scenario (the worst being a team plane going down). The face of the franchise is accused, convicted and sentenced as a felon all since training camp began. A switch from a zone block scheme to a power block scheme in which they didn't have the personnel to make the switch. The OL and DL decimated by injury, and a coach who quit on them. Any one of the factors would kill any team. I really don;t think you can blame the owner or management. This is a case of terrible terrible luck to a historically terribly unlucky franchise.

There is some hope for the Falcons. They do have some talent on the team in places. They will have a lot of drafts picks, and will be picking in a good slot. They have a thoughtful owner who will probably open his checkbook far and wide to right the franchise. The next coach will have the best opportunity of any job to build a team how he wants it built and will be given all of the tools and control needed to succeed. I'm not sure what the status of Vick returning his signing bonus to the team means, but I would guess if possible the league and its owners will be sympathetic to the Falcons- because stronger teams make for a stronger league. It wasn't that long ago the Chargers were considered the worst franchise in the NFL. Things can and do change rapidly in the NFL. But after the shock of this season there will most likely be a ray of hope.

Well said.

And they're not the Dolphins.

 

[FTRWRTR]

I really don't get why anyone would want petrino to agree to terms with arkansas, want to leave, and coach the last 3 games out of some sense of duty. What does that accomplish for him or the Falcons? They can now start their coaching search today, that's an advantage. Id rather have him be up front and say "i want out" han continue working when his heart is not in it.

No one is saying that. What ppl like myself are saying is petrino shouldn't have quit while the season is still going on.in the first place Believe me no one wants him to come back. Whether his heart is in it or not he's being paid nearly $5 mil to coach the team, arthur blank deserved to have gotten petrino's 100% in return. Not to mention both the players and fans deserve to have him at least TRY. I'll put it like this cam cameron is dealing with an even worse situation than petrino had to deal with and yet cameron has not bailed on the team

 

[PatrickT]

Wonder what happens to Paul Petrino, Bobby's brother and Falcons WRs coach. I'm assuming he'll follow Bobby to Arkansas, but I wonder if he finishes out the season or not.

 

[PatrickT]

Well, there's the answer. He left too.

 

[PatrickT]

I should add that he apparently was not so clandestine in his departure. He was apparently given the option, took some time to think it over, and decided to leave.

 

[mad sweeney]

Arthur Blank is currently ripping Petrino in hhis news conference.

Interesting. Did he take any responsibility for hiring the guy?

Rich McKay said that a GM gets his name attached to the coach they hired and that clearly, since they were having this nes conference, that they made the wrong choice. I missed the first part with Blank's comments. If anyonw who saw the beginning has some of the examples of "ripping" Petrino were.

 

[redman]

I've got a question for the Petrino bashers:Suppose Petrino "does the right thing" and declines Arkansas saying that he signed a five-year deal and he was going to stick it out. Falcons lose their next 3 games and Arkansas hires somebody else. Arthur Blank has a change of heart, goes against his earlier public support of Petrino and fires Petrino.Would anybody be on here questioning Blank's character and calling him a liar?

I'm critical of anyone who lies. If Blank lied about him returning, I'd criticize him. The big boy way of handling this was for Petrino to tell Blank that he'd been approached, that he was genuinely interested given the fact that he'd had the rug pulled out from under him with Vick, and that he'd like Blank's permission to interview and sign on with them if there was a good offer. He could even add that he planned on resigning after the season because of all of the above if he didn't give permission, but that this made more sense given that the season was lost already and the job opportunity was there now.

 

[Ducimus]

Arthur Blank is currently ripping Petrino in hhis news conference.

Interesting. Did he take any responsibility for hiring the guy?

Rich McKay said that a GM gets his name attached to the coach they hired and that clearly, since they were having this nes conference, that they made the wrong choice. I missed the first part with Blank's comments. If anyonw who saw the beginning has some of the examples of "ripping" Petrino were.

I only caught the very end of the conference on 103.3 ESPN Dallas. But from the recap, Blank said that 6 hours before the game Monday, he went in and asked Petrino about where he stood as the coach. Petrino shook Blank's hand and said "you have a head coach". Blank had confronted him and asked what he might want him to say since he was going to be on MNF in the booth and was sure they would bring it up. Blank gave intimate details to the meeting he had with Petrino. You never really hear that from a coach or owner.He brought up a placque in the locker room that Petrino put up with 4 goals on it. #4 was FINISH.Blank even mentioned the families and children of the assistant coaches that lives were turned upside down by this. Has anyone ever mentioned families and children?That's about all I can remember from the sportscasters going over the PC.I didn't hear any comments on Blank taking ownership. But he definetely called Petrino to the floor over his integrity.

 

[Ducimus]

Since I live in Dallas and Arkansas recruits strongly in Texas, the other thing they were bringing up and just starting to take calls on was "If Petrino comes knocking to sign your high school star, will you let him in the door?"

From what they were saying, Blank went where no other owner has gone in his comments. I don't know NFL history enough to say if that's true or not, but I've never heard an owner speak of his coach like that.

Letting the world know, Petrino threw him under the bus and lied 6 hours before he went on TV to say "he feels more confident in his coach at 3-9, then he did when he hired him."

 

[PatrickT]

Uh oh. Some new controversy boiling now. Arkansas AD saying he rec'd permission to speak to Petrino, Blank and McKay denying it.

Is there an NCAA violation there, or is it just uncool, assuming of course it's true he didn't have permission. Blank indicated it wasn't an NFL violation.

 

[waveman]

Ha! some of this is funny,

Boss: Um I heard you were interviewing for a new job

Employee: No, not me

I mean would you tell your boss you have been interviewing for jobs in a highly pressured / foobar situation?

Welcome to Arkansas, Petrino...I hope you stay here longer than your previous jobs

 

[DynastyMan]

living here in Atl I'm glad to see him go...

 

[PatrickT]

Ha! some of this is funny,Boss: Um I heard you were interviewing for a new jobEmployee: No, not meI mean would you tell your boss you have been interviewing for jobs in a highly pressured / foobar situation?Welcome to Arkansas, Petrino...I hope you stay here longer than your previous jobs

Yes.

 

[PatrickT]

Some of the "ripping" comments.

"I feel abused at the moment," Blank said. "I'm very disappointed in the way this happened... In my opinion he didn't give us a fair opportunity based on our commitments to him."

"My issue is not that he elected to go back to coaching in college. My issue is timing. My issue is responsibility. My issue is commitment to this organization."

And other comments:

"I was looking for a commitment from Bobby and having some expoure on behalf of the franchise Monday night," Blank said of the face-to-face meeting. " wanted to know, 'Are you with us or not?' I did press the question with him... Bobby extended his hand and said, 'You can tell them you have a head coach.'"

McKay said the organization had not yet compiled a list of potential candidates to interview for the job.

"There's a lot of messages (from people interested in the job)," said McKay. (He didn't elaborate, or mention me by name. )

And this little bomb, to stir the conspiracy pot:

Blank said the University of Arkansas never formally contacted the Falcons about Petrino. Blank said he learned of Arkansas' interest in Petrino through Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, who called him on behalf of the school. Jones is an alumnus of Arkansas.

 

[Fiddles]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/f...age_tab_newstab

Former Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino, who abruptly resigned Tuesday, wrote a four-sentence letter that was given to the players at the team's headquarters Wednesday.

The letter read:

"Atlanta Falcons players;

Out of my respect for you, I am letting you know, with a heavy heart, I resigned today as the Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. This decision was not easy but was made in the best interest of me and my family. While my desire would have been to finish out what has been a difficult season for us all, circumstances did not allow me to do so. I appreciate your hard work and wish the best.

Sincerely,

Bobby Petrino"

The letter was hand signed.

Petrino notified president and general manager Rich McKay in person Tuesday that he was leaving. He then called owner Arthur Blank to inform his decision. Petrino did not speak to players about his decision as Tuesday was an off day for the team.

 

[FTRWRTR]

Uh oh. Some new controversy boiling now. Arkansas AD saying he rec'd permission to speak to Petrino, Blank and McKay denying it.Is there an NCAA violation there, or is it just uncool, assuming of course it's true he didn't have permission. Blank indicated it wasn't an NFL violation.

I don't see how there can be a rule against it since the NCAA only has jurisdiction over college sports.

 

[waveman]

Ha! some of this is funny,Boss: Um I heard you were interviewing for a new jobEmployee: No, not meI mean would you tell your boss you have been interviewing for jobs in a highly pressured / foobar situation?Welcome to Arkansas, Petrino...I hope you stay here longer than your previous jobs

Yes.

I wouldn't, cause if you decided not to take said job, then you most likely are out of you current one, and the turmoil it would have caused.Yes, his leaving the way he did cause alot of turmoil, but there really aren't any good ways to that, especially in this situation when you are under the press's microscope 24x7.I think in the end, this will benefit both organizations...without Vick, Petrino couldn't do what he thought he was going to be able to do, and not to mention other issues as a result of Vick not being in the locker room.Petrino gets yet another clean slate, And so does Atlanta.

 

[PatrickT]

Ha! some of this is funny,Boss: Um I heard you were interviewing for a new jobEmployee: No, not meI mean would you tell your boss you have been interviewing for jobs in a highly pressured / foobar situation?Welcome to Arkansas, Petrino...I hope you stay here longer than your previous jobs

Yes.

I wouldn't, cause if you decided not to take said job, then you most likely are out of you current one, and the turmoil it would have caused.Yes, his leaving the way he did cause alot of turmoil, but there really aren't any good ways to that, especially in this situation when you are under the press's microscope 24x7.I think in the end, this will benefit both organizations...without Vick, Petrino couldn't do what he thought he was going to be able to do, and not to mention other issues as a result of Vick not being in the locker room.Petrino gets yet another clean slate, And so does Atlanta.

Well it would depend on the circumstances, which were discussed in more detail earlier in the thread. Basically, assuming my boss isn't an ###, I'd be as respectful of him as I would expect him to be towards me.

 

[redman]

And this little bomb, to stir the conspiracy pot:

Blank said the University of Arkansas never formally contacted the Falcons about Petrino. Blank said he learned of Arkansas' interest in Petrino through Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, who called him on behalf of the school. Jones is an alumnus of Arkansas.

There is a cause of action at law for tortious interference with a contractual relationship. It would be very amusing to me to see a lawsuit arise out of one of these situations. So far, the "culture" of the NFL franchises and the colleges is to let bygones be bygones and to "put it behind us", but some owner or college president somewhere will get PO'ed and will sue at some point. It's only a matter of time.

 

[switz]

ATL is not as bad of a team as people (or their record) would indicate. There is quite a bit of talent there, it just isn't being used properly. If I had a shot at the job, I'd take it.

A committed owner.

A solid GM.

A solid fan base.

There's a lot worse out there.

 

[redman]

Ha! some of this is funny,Boss: Um I heard you were interviewing for a new jobEmployee: No, not meI mean would you tell your boss you have been interviewing for jobs in a highly pressured / foobar situation?Welcome to Arkansas, Petrino...I hope you stay here longer than your previous jobs

Yes.

I wouldn't, cause if you decided not to take said job, then you most likely are out of you current one, and the turmoil it would have caused.Yes, his leaving the way he did cause alot of turmoil, but there really aren't any good ways to that, especially in this situation when you are under the press's microscope 24x7.I think in the end, this will benefit both organizations...without Vick, Petrino couldn't do what he thought he was going to be able to do, and not to mention other issues as a result of Vick not being in the locker room.Petrino gets yet another clean slate, And so does Atlanta.

If your contract is guaranteed, it's a far different situation than if you're an at will employee. At will employees don't tell their employer anything about other job opportunities unless they have an offer in hand and want the company to match it. That's the way things operate in your and my world. NFL coaches have multimillion dollar guaranteed contracts and have far more financial security. It's a very different game altogether.

 

[CorteztheKiller]

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 don't condone what Petrino did but he walked away from the money and took a huge black eye to his reputation. Holdout players don't do either of those things. As soon as those holdout players agree to renegotiate early for less money when their performance falls short of expectations, I'll become less critical of them too.

 

[PatrickT]

The plot thickens

Broyles: Jones helped get Petrino for Arkansas

The deal to get Bobby Petrino from Atlanta and to Arkansas involved Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones — and the talks started Monday morning, Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Wednesday.

"What I have heard that [Jones and Falcons owner Arthur Blank] are good friends.'' said Broyles. "I was told Jerry got permission from Arthur Blank,'' he said. "Jerry talked to Arthur to get an interview.'' Jones is a former Razorbacks football player when Broyles was the coach. "What happened after that, I don't know,'' said Broyles, who added he did not have direct knowledge of the negotiations. Broyles did say the contact started Monday morning, before the Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

"Jerry Jones is a big Razorback [booster],'' Broyles said. ''All Jerry Jones was doing was to help everybody, if he was involved. All he did was open the doors.''

Broyles's 50-year association with Arkansas includes a successful career as the head football coach, during which he coached Jones, followed by more than three decades as athletics director.

Jeff Long has replaced Broyles as AD and was present at Petrino's introductory press conference Tuesday night.

Broyles did say the contact started Monday morning, before the Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

Blank and team president Rich McKay both said Wednesday afternoon that they each talked to Jones and both said they did not grant permission for anyone from Arkansas to speak to Petrino.

It is not known who talked to Petrino or how the contact took place. In Arkansas late Tuesday night, Petrino said: "The first time I spoke with officials from Arkansas was today."

In a meeting Monday with Blank and McKay, Petrino expressed uncertainty about coaching in the NFL, according to a person familiar with the situation. But Petrino did not mention the job at the University of Arkansasin the meeting. By the end of the meeting, Petrino assured Blank and McKay that he would return next season.

Blank reinforced that Petrino would return in 2008 to several media outlets prior to Monday night's game.

On Tuesday night Petrino said: "It really wasnt' a change in mind it was working out the details and the ability to get here. I wanted to get back to coaching college football."

Broyles said the buyout of Petrino's contract was $3 million. "I didn't think there was any chance because of the buyout clause," Broyles said on 790AM Wednesday moirning. "I thought that was a fantasy." Broyles later said he did not know how that matter was resolved.

Broyles was visiting the Channel 46 studios in midtown Atlanta to tape a segment promoting his resource guide for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Broyles' wife, Barbara, had Alzheimer's.

"I know the people in Arkansas are thrilled to have [Petrino]," Broyles said.

When asked about the controversy over Petrino switching jobs, Broyles said, "He's never been to a job like Arkansas. I think Arkansas is a special place. This is a place you can enjoy for the rest of your life if you want to.''

I love that last line. Sure, he's screwed over 2 teams in 1 year, but won't happen to us!

 

[redman]

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 don't condone what Petrino did but he walked away from the money and took a huge black eye to his reputation. Holdout players don't do either of those things. As soon as those holdout players agree to renegotiate early for less money when their performance falls short of expectations, I'll become less critical of them too.

Key difference - player contracts are not guaranteed, and in the most physically risky/demanding major sport no less. That alters things significantly for me when dealing with player holdouts.

 

[PatrickT]

Also, this is interesting, from the above article:

Broyles did say the contact started Monday morning, before the Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

Petrino said he didn't talk to anyone until Tuesday, which was obvious BS, but now it's been flatly contradicted by the Arkansas AD.

 

[RC94]

Who do ATL fans want to see as a replacement? Someone mentioned Singletary, who I think will be a great head coach some day (and a guy I want as a candidate for the Giants if they fire Coughlin). Who else is interesting? If ATL does select a franchise QB in the 1st round maybe a an offense-minded coach who has had success in building QBs? Would you prefer a new head coach (like Singletary) or someone who has head coaching experience? Any college coaches you find interesting (probably not after dealing with Petrino)?

 

[Keith Lewis]

Petrino is a tool. Arkansas will be the next to be left high and dry. Petrino = scum.

 

[stevegamer]

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.

The problem is: "Which job are you talking about?"The Louisville job didn't change. He got paid a huge sum for a long time to coach where he already was. No change there, just needed more money, prestige, whatever. Atlanta changed, but lying to your boss - who is paying you MILLIONS - is not generally a good way to show you're a character guy. Esepcially after you've come out repeatedly, and as recently as 2 weeks ago and said you are in it for the long haul.Bobby Petrino is a carpetbagging piece of trash.

 

[PatrickT]

Who do ATL fans want to see as a replacement? Someone mentioned Singletary, who I think will be a great head coach some day (and a guy I want as a candidate for the Giants if they fire Coughlin). Who else is interesting? If ATL does select a franchise QB in the 1st round maybe a an offense-minded coach who has had success in building QBs? Would you prefer a new head coach (like Singletary) or someone who has head coaching experience? Any college coaches you find interesting (probably not after dealing with Petrino)?

If Blank hired a college coach, he'd be lynched. Here's the list of names I'm seeing/hearing in rough order of how often or enthusiastically I'm seeing them.CowherSingletaryZimmerHue JacksonGarrettRiveraMoochChudzinskiPile of poopMartz

 

[HawgsofWar]

And take Arkansas job.

yet another college coach who thinks he can make it in the NFL..these chumps don't pan out in the NFL, unless they are named Jimmy Johnson or Barry Switzer..so much for all the 'Jerious Norwood will be a top 5 RB this season', and all the other hoopla because of petrino's 'style' of coaching: heavy on the run...puh-lease! good riddance.he's awful.

Tanner you shouldn't give that much credit to ole Barry. JJ set up that Championship wagon all he had to do was keep it out of the ditch.

 

[PatrickT]

From the AJC, questions Arkansas should ask itself.

1. Do you people have any idea what you’ve done? Bobby Petrino is one of those guys who looks good on paper, but as a human being he has absolutely no communication or people skills. Other than his wins at Louisville, what about this man appealed to you to hire him as a representative of your university?2. Have you forgotten November, 2003? That is when Petrino sat in a plane in an airport near Louisville and basically tried to put himself in position to take Tommy Tuberville’s job. Petrino had worked for the guy at Auburn just the year before. Why would you hire someone who would stab somebody in the back like that?3. He lied to Arthur Blank. Don’t you think he’ll lie to you? On Monday, Petrino assured the Falcons owner that he had worked through his problems and would be back next season. On Tuesday he phoned Blank to let him know that he was quitting. If Petrino will lie to a man like Blank, he’ll certainly lie to the athletics director and chancellor of the University of Arkansas.4. Are you THAT desperate to win? I know that you wanted to hire a sitting head coach and that Tommy Tuberville, Tommy Bowden, Jim Grobe, and Butch Davis all decided to stay put. I know that you had told some coordinators that if this deal didn’t get done, you were ready to go the route of hiring a top assistant. But there are a lot of good coaches out there with a lot less baggage than this guy.5. Do you realize what a PR hit this university is going to take? Arkansas will survive, of course. But for the next few weeks this school is going to be the poster-child of what’s wrong with college athletics because of this hire. After all of the controversy surrounding Houston Nutt, which led to his bolting to Ole Miss, are you sure THIS is the direction you want to go? Do you think for a minute that Darren McFadden or Felix Jones will want to play for this guy? They already had one foot out the door. Now they will go running to the NFL.

Of course, 1 and 2 are questions Blank and McKay should asking themselves as well.

 

[menobrown]

I've got a friend who often provides me info on the Hogs in advance of it going public and here is an interesting e-mail he sent me from one of his sources:

• Bobby Petrino has been hired as the head coach of the University of Arkansas football program (TRUE).

• Bobby Petrino was hired for $3 million per year (FALSE)

• Petrino was hired for 2.85 million per year.

• Petrino called UA AD Jeff Long between 7 and 8 this morning and the process took off from there. (TRUE)

• Jeff Long says he knew about the probability of Petrino resigning earlier (obviously through channels), but could not talk to him personally about a contract until he first resigned from Atlanta (TRUE)

• Petrino says he will honor all 19 scholarship commitments (TRUE)

• Petrino will get his test taken and be on the run to as many kids as he can before the dead period starts on the 17th. He can visit Wednesday through Saturday, call them on Sunday and make one call a week during the dead period. (TRUE)

• The WR commitments are loving this (TRUE)

• There is a big groundswell to keep around Tim Horton, Bobby Allen and others on this staff, but that's all up to Petrino (TRUE)

• Jim Youngblood and his dad Stan - a fellow St. Louis Carinals fan - found out about the new hire from me via text while in a restaurant (TRUE)

• Long thought he went to Dallas on Sunday night without anybody knowing (TRUE)

• Long was stunned to find out that this particular board knew about it (TRUE) through me, but from one of our beloved posters. (TRUE)

• Long said he did not read the papers or listen to call in shows during the process, but has been told a little about it and plans to read them know for entertainment (TRUE)

• Will Muschamp had not been talked by the University of Arkansas since Friday, but had been told at that point to be ready at any point to come for a formal interview. (TRUE)

• Jimmy Sexton called Muschamp last night at 11 p.m. and told him to expect a call from Arkansas about that formal interview on Tuesday (TRUE)

• Jimmy Sexton was not Muschamp's agent, but was positioning himself to be if he became the head coach here.

• Sexton was the one who called me today (FALSE)

• It apparently was going to come down to whether Arkansas wanted an SEC guy (Muschamp) or a guy that has been recruiting in Texas (Venables)

• Muschamp's reprensentative - the one who I did talk to - started to get nervous about things around 4 p.m. (TRUE)

• Muschamp found out the same way we did - John Clayton on ESPN at 5 p.m. (TRUE)

• The Final Four - before the "re-entry" of Petrino was Muschamp, OU DC Brent Venables, Tulsa co-OC Gus Malzahn and interim Arkansas head coach Reggie Herring (TRUE)

• Herring had an 11 a.m. interview scheduled, but the Petrino re-enty pushed that back and ultimately it never happened. (TRUE)

• Petrino will recruit and evaluate and begin lining up a staff, but he and Jeff Long say the current staff will handle the bowl preparations and do the coaching. (TRUE)

• Chris Mortensen and Alex Mortensen were both on hand for the Press Conference tonight (TRUE)

• No 2 X 4s were sighted in the building (TRUE)

• No Phones went off during the press conference (FALSE - 2)

• When the question was asked by Carlos Chicas about recruiting hispanics, there was a lot of arriba, arriba yelled out (TRUE)

• The best line of the event was "I like to walk softly and carry a big stick by Petrino (TRUE)

• The recruits I talked to were thrilled with the hire - respect the name, respect the game. (TRUE).

 

[PatrickT]

I've got a friend who often provides me info on the Hogs in advance of it going public and here is an interesting e-mail he sent me from one of his sources:<snip>• The recruits I talked to were thrilled with the hire - respect the name, respect the game. (TRUE).

I'm not sure I get the point of your post, but I do have a question about one of the bulletsetrino called UA AD Jeff Long between 7 and 8 this morning and the process took off from there. (TRUE)Define this morning, as there are documented discrepencies as to when Petrino was contacted and when he SAID he was contacted.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

Not addressing anyone in particular on this board, but why are people upset when they run someone out of town, and they actually get out of town?

Who ran Petrino out of town?

Umm, the Falcons themselves, the fans?

What is this based on? Did Blank knock him in the press? How was he run out of town?

Who said anything about Blank? Have we or have we not heard from Falcons fans (many of them on this board) that "Petrino is in over his head," "Can't adapt from the college game," etc., to the point where they were in their sigs? I am always listening to sports radio and can recall about 5-7 calls from different fans to Andrew Siciliano, Colin Cowherd, and Sirius NFL Radio wanting this guy out right now. Good enough sample size for me.

As for the Falcons themselves, DeAngelo Hall in his face during the Steve Smith debacle, the piss and moan fest from most of them from letting Grady Jackson go, and the lack of leadership from players brought in to lead like Joe Horn. Don't like Petrino's style? Tough crap, try playing for Coughlin. Those players had a big part in the whole thing. Who on the team stepped up at any time for Petrino?

It's pretty simple. I'm delighted he's gone. Because now I know for sure what I suspected but didn't want to admit. There was no master plan behind the ineptitude. It was just ineptitude.Why I am I still upset a guy left, who I was hoping would leave? Hope. I hoped I was wrong. I hoped like HELL I was wrong. That this was the guy. That next season, all this strange stuff he was doing would make sense and it would all come together. And now I know he was already gone by mid-season, maybe even earlier, and now we're back to square one. It was all for nothing.

Sounds to me like the players were feeling the same thing. I was on them for the same reasons you suggest, they needed to shut up and play, but starting to look like they had a bead on this guy much earlier than we did. And, if so, sounds to me like they maintained remarkable restraint, in hindsight.

Who stepped up? A lot of them, especially on defense, but they were continually put in unwinnable situations and it looks like it was because they were being coached in absentia.

That type of attitude builds up and runs someone out of town. I happen to agree with Patrick about Petrino, and looking back, this was an expensive, but positive, learning experience. Petrino showed his true colors before he dug in and seriously set the franchise back in personnel (like Butch Davis did to my Browns). The footprint Petrino left is minimal, and the next coach will have a clean slate. The players should learn from this as well- just because they are professional does not mean that they can walk all over formal leadership. Hearing the football talking heads today, I think Mike Singletary would be a nice fit there as he is supposedly very driven, motivating, wise, and ready to lead. Get a great offensive coordinator in there and you are set.

I am sorry for the Falcons fans though, and especially Blank because everyone says he is a first class guy that doesn't deserve any of this.

 

[Delusions Of Adequacy]

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.

You've got to be kidding. The atlanta job was never a deluxe job. San Diego, yes. Atlanta was a mediocre team with the potential to get better or worse. The guy by all acounts was a dictator who cut and run when the going got tough. He couldn't even finish out the year.

 

[gump]

At least he didn't pull a Saban and say he would be coaching in Miami next year, and then leave.

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.

He and Saban are in the same boat.

Way to pull the pathetic Saban move.

The way the two left are as different as black and white. All Saban did was lie to the press...who cares. Saban coaches the entire season, then talked to Alabama, then sat down with owner Wayne Huizenga. Here are some comments from Wayne:

* "I met with Nick at his home this morning with his wife Terry. There are a lot of reasons why decisions get made in life, but the net is that he’s not coming back."

* (On if he’s upset with the Nick Saban handled the situation) – “The answer is no, I’m not upset because it’s more involved than what you think. I’ve been through this with Nick for quite some time now. I feel the pain and so forth and so on of both Nick and Terry. It’s not a very simple thing. No, I’m not upset with Nick. I think Nick’s great. They are moving on to Alabama and all of us here at the Miami Dolphins – we met and talked this morning – we want the best for Nick and for Terry. I wish them well, and I tell you what. I’ll be Nick’s biggest fan."

* (On if at any point Saban told him he would not leave the Dolphins) – “No, he did not."

* (On if he feels betrayed by Saban) – “No, I do not.”

* (On if Saban’s decision to leave the Dolphins was family-based) – “That’s not for me to say. It wasn’t a money decision. That’s all I’ll say.”

* (On the appearance that Saban stood him up for a 10:00 a.m. meeting today) – “That’s not true at all. I went to Nick’s house this morning to save him a trip to come over here. I only live a block and a half from where he lives. I called him and said, ‘let me come by and spend some time with you.’ That’s what we did.”

LINKSound at all like Blank's feelings?

Jason Taylor and some other players also said they understood Saban's decision.

Sound at all like the Atlanta locker room?

 

[BusterTBronco]

Petrino is getting ripped from coast to coast. NFL coaches, players who played for him at Louisville, and even NFL players who played at Arkansas are taking their shots.

Whadda dope.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Falcons HC Candidates --

Wed Dec 12, 2007 --from FFMastermind.com

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports in the wake of Falcons HC Bobby Petrino's unexpected resignation to take the head coaching job at Arkansas, the Falcons will like pursue candidates with extensive NFL experience. Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers HC Bill Cowher, who resigned after last season and is working as a television analyst, would be the most attractive - and expensive - candidate. Former San Diego HC Marty Schottenheimer, Detroit OC Mike Martz and former Detroit and San Francisco HC Steve Mariucci also could be available. Falcons DC Mike Zimmer and OC Hue Jackson could be among the NFL assistant coaches under consideration.

 

[Liquid Tension]

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.

First, they are cowards as they lied and asked for everything form the players that they wouldn't give themselves. They said they would be there working with the players and be there through thick and think to build up the team and they they ran.Not only that these guys are ego maniacs. they don't understand that the players in the NFL are men with families and have a lot of money, they need to be treated differently than kids in college. These guys like to bully kids and rather than earn respect they demand it from the kids.

NFL>College because the talent is better and the coaching is better. I would rather watch the best players than a less talented league. Otherwise I might as well watch womans basketball or womans bowling etc...

 

[fatness]

Warrick Dunn

Running back Warrick Dunn described the sudden departure of Falcons coach Bobby Petrino to the University of Arkansas as cowardly.

"Pretty much he sold us a dream,'' Dunn said. "And the way to go out before season's end is a coward way to go.''

Dunn said he watched Petrino's press conference from Fayettville, Ark. Tuesday night in which Petrino joined in the 'Pig!Sooie! cheer. He described it as 'classless.'

"It was classless. Classless,'' Dunn said. "I guess Arkansas should be worried. I mean, any family or kid that he recruits should worry. I mean, do you really buy into anything he says when he did the same thing to Louisville to come to Atlanta. Now he did the same thing to Atlanta to go to Arkansas. I think his history and his rep speaks for itself.''

Dunn said the team learned of Petrino's resignation through various means. Petrino did not address the team and left notes in the players' lockers.

"The guy didn't meet with us, he left a letter in our locker - with a stamped signature,'' Dunn said. ""I mean, to me that shows no sign of respect. You tell me?

"It just said he had a tough decision, he felt like he had to do what was best for him. It was improper English or grammar I think...It is what it is, man.''

 

[PatrickT]

Lawyer Milloy made a minor edit to Bobby's letter to the team. This is from the AJC, this not a photo-shopped joke here.

\

Image

I guess this site has in-line images turned off? Anyway, I link it instead.

 

[Limp Ditka]

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports...=7&cxcat=21

Jamaal Anderson, the Falcons' first-round pick out of Arkansas, is telling his former Razorback teammates not to trust their new head coach.

Anderson, who entered April's draft as a junior and presumably knows most of the players on the Arkansas roster, calls Petrino "disloyal." "If he can leave players here, what makes you think he won't leave the players he's going to coach?" Anderson said. "I'm just afraid to see what happens if he does bad at Arkansas. Is he going to leave those kids?"

Falcons players bash 'disloyal' Petrino

Former coach called a 'cancer' on team

By STEVE WYCHE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 12/13/07

Flowery Branch — Falcons rookie defensive end Jamaal Anderson, the team's first-round draft pick from the University of Arkansas, has gotten non-stop calls from players, friends and associates with the Razorbacks football program. They all want to know what type of guy their new coach, Bobby Petrino, is.

"Disloyal," said Anderson, Petrino's first pick as an NFL coach. "If he can leave players here, what makes you think he won't leave the players he's going to coach? I'm just afraid to see what happens if he does bad at Arkansas. Is he going to leave those kids?"

Players and owner Arthur Blank vilified Petrino Wednesday, a day after he failed to notify them in person of his decision to resign as the Falcons' coach.

The venom was widespread. An organization that has fought controversy and criticism all season let it rain Wednesday.

It was a deluge.

Veteran safety Lawyer Milloy taped the "insensitive" farewell letter Petrino sent to players to his locker. Petrino's copied signature was crossed out in red ink.

"Coward!" was put in its place.

"Everything he preached over the past eight months was a lie," Milloy said. "Everything he said he stood for was a lie. He came in and messed with a lot of people's lives — he wasted a year of my life. It was a cowardly act. A selfish act.

"One thing I'm really [mad] at was while he was having a half-hearted approach to games, he was putting us all at risk. His mind wasn't in it. That explains why he threw a challenge flag a play after he was allowed to. Why we went for it on fourth-and-9 and punted on fourth-and-1. Maybe he was on the phone at Arkansas to the AD at that point.

"The cancer was diagnosed. Never would you want it to be your head coach, your general, to be that cancer, but in our case, it was."

Linebacker Michael Boley said of Petrino's departure: "He took the easy way out. There are a lot of different ways you can handle that. As a man, call us. Come in here for one last team meeting. A note in the locker? That's just saying, 'I can't even look you in the face right now.' That's cowardly."

Added veteran linebacker Keith Brooking: "I've been totally committed to Coach Petrino and everything that he brought to the table. That's why I feel betrayed. It goes a lot deeper than just me. It's Mr. Blank and everything that he's given to us. There is anger inside of me because I bought into Coach Petrino and his beliefs and what he was trying to do with this football team. I feel betrayed with the decision that he made."



College vs. pro coaching

Blank said Petrino expressed to him last weekend concerns about his passion for coaching professional football as opposed to college ball, where he spent all but three of his previous 24 seasons as a coach.

Petrino, hired from Louisville to a five-year, $24 million contract Jan. 8, had never been an NFL head coach.

Blank would not divulge what Petrino's concerns were, but players said the fact that he quit when things got tough proved he wasn't up to coaching at this level.

"This league is for men," Milloy said. "Not everybody is built for this league. I think he realized that earlier than [Tuesday]. I'm glad that I don't have to deal with somebody who's not into this 100 percent. Everybody's in the boat paddling and he's on the buoy boat going the other way."

Players said Petrino had not shown any signs that he planned to leave — at least not before the end of the season — but they sensed something could be afoot. They'd heard the rumors about him possibly being up for some college jobs over the past few weeks, but they took him at his word, as did Blank, when he said he'd be back in 2008.

Missed pregame meetings

"We play on Monday night and he's not at the meetings," tailback Warrick Dunn said. "Guys noticed that. We talked about it before the game. Then word gets out this guy might be going to Arkansas. I heard this before the game. To be able to look at him face to face and for him to try and lead you and motivate you is tough.

"He sold us a dream. He put this organization last in his life. He's selfish. He's definitely a liar. One of the things we have hanging in our meeting room is [a sign] 'Finish.' If he wanted to leave, you can at least finish three more games. It's 18 days. You can finish it and say, 'You know what, this wasn't for me.' You can respect that. But to let it go yesterday the way that he did and the disrespectful way that he did it, to me he has no heart."

College players probably never spoke about him publicly like these pros.



'Absolutely disregarded'

Petrino's brief legacy as an NFL coach was rife with complaints about his lack of communication with players. He didn't talk to them and he didn't want to listen. Blank, who said he felt "betrayed" and "abused" by Petrino, said Petrino had gotten better dealing with players over the past few weeks but players said he was "insufferable."

"There's a line of communication that needs to be there and it wasn't," said quarterback Joey Harrington, who was publicly humiliated on a handful of occasions. "I went to him with concerns of the team and I was absolutely disregarded."

Quarterback Chris Redman must have felt like a lone wolf Wednesday. The starting quarterback played for then-offensive coordinator Petrino at Louisville in 1999. After being out of football since 2003, Petrino gave Redman a shot to make the team last spring.

Redman was Petrino's lone sympathizer in the locker room.

"I hate to see him go and everything," Redman said. "He gave me a job here, so I obviously owe him for helping me. He put food on the table for me so I can't get too upset with him. If what he said is true and it's best for his family, then I'm happy for him."





From Dunn, the last word

For most of the season, players have taken the blame for the Falcons' 3-10 record. The damage wrought by quarterback Michael Vick's dogfighting conviction could be blamed for much of the slide. And while Petrino took the job in January in part to coach Vick, players weren't giving the coach a pass, because they had to deal with it, too.

"This guy comes in, they don't want Allen Rossum, they don't want Grady Jackson, they change the running game from what he did last year and we went from first to almost last," Dunn said. "We had a million plays. You didn't hear us complaining.

"This guy affected not just my livelihood but other guys'. He had guys thinking that I couldn't play football anymore, that I couldn't run. It's not because I wasn't trying. I felt like he was setting us up to fail, and when you look back on it, he wasn't in it.

"We have to apologize to our fans. It's not because the players are not playing. Obviously, the guy's half-hearted. It's just one of those things where respect is out the window."

 

[Obie Wan]

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.

why not?