Rich,this is the first I have heard of this.College coaches,for the most part tend to fail in the NFL..so maybe he is just going back to where he feels comfortable.Also,when he took the job,I am sure he didn't expect his starting QB was heading to prison!

Rich, I have yet to hear this but it would be fitting. Redman would not have a job if it was not for Bobby and DJ Shockley would be our QB right now. I say GOODBYE.

Rich- nice to see you're on the ball with the breaking news too! I'll concede this one to your thread since you're the local expert. aLSO, IT'S OFFICIAL NEWS NOW- HE RESIGNED HIS POST!!!

I think this is a good thing for Atlanta, if true. I didn't understand the hire to begin with and he's looked over-matched in coaching- and has related poorly with his players this season. Get a new coach and QB all in one swoop next season and start from scratch.

The shame is that Falcons owner Arthur Blank was in the booth last night and said (per my memory), "I am convinced more than I was at the time I hired him that it was the right move because of the way he's handled the season thus far."

And BLR- the Falcons have themselves and themselves only to blame for this....the allegations that Vick was being targeted for dog-fighting began long before they traded away Schaub. I maintained (on another forum) that they trade Vick for the top deal and develop the only QB they had on the roster....

And I didn't realize this was a topic at all....Just read an article from the 11-26 Atlanta Journal-Constitutionthat Petrino shot down rumors of him bolting to go back to college. That's over two weeks ago...hmmm.

BLR - You are right about the ill fated transition from college coaching to pro coaching. I'm sure he didn't expect Vick would be heading off to prison either.

Danny - Seems ESPN is reporting his resignation as well.

Jim - I hadn't seen your post when I was writing mine. It was the lead story on the five o'clock news here in Atlanta. You are right on in saying he did not gel with his players. i feel bad he lost his QB but jeez, move on already! Try to develop what you have. I don't think he showed the leadership qualities his team needed during this difficult time. As for Blank, I am not suprised he didn't say anything on MNF about this. He has always been very loyal to his players and coaches.

Click on the 11 Alive News Story Link in the blog for updates. They keep revising and adding to the story.

ESPN is reporting this development and it is going to happen. Petrino was just never cut out for an NFL job, even if Michael Vick was playing they would have never got along. Petrinos offensive philosophy requires a pocket passer and the stiffs they have on the roster just are not cutting it.

Eddy

Eddy - They will have to draft well and as Jim said rebuild next year.

Falcons are holding a press conference tomorrow.

They're better off....they've got pieces...Good TE, some alright young WR, shutdown CB, Brooking, etc. I think they really ought to get June Jones back and bring Colt Brennan with him...... :)

What's the deal, with these college coaches, they come in and sell their souls. How can you let this guy recruit you son to play ball for him. He just walked out of his contract during the season. When he should have been game planning he was negotiating a new deal. The word Contract means nothing these days.

I for one do not believe the college coaches as a whole can make the transition. It is not the same type of game. In college, the kids are motivated to perform on their own because they hunger for the next level. In the pros, you have to have players that will climb the mountain for you. And Atlanta had that mountain this year, but no one, except for maybe Redman, would climb that mountain.

Rich, thanks for breaking this story for us. Way to keep up on the sporting world. 

DH- If my boy is a stud player in HS , I want no part of him going with Petrino. Not only did he leave 13 games into a 5 yr deal.....but that was a contract that took him away from a Louisville contract (10 year 25.5 mil that he signed 6 months earlier).

Sad thing is, high school football players need to pick based on the campus more than the coach. There's no guarantees anymore.

Jim - They do have some good components. They just need to put them together and they need a coach for the long-haul.

David and Jim - As far as allowing a child or nephew to go play for this man, not a chance! College athletes need leadership they can depend on, Petrino is NOT that type of person.

Danny - Atlanta has definitely had a huge mountain to climb this season and the departure of Petrino makes it an even steeper mountain.

Rich, I do not know so much about that. I have to agree with what one person commented in that Petrino for the most part looked to be out coached. I believe he even knew this. Authur can give me the job of interim and I won't complain. Maybe some of these players need to go back and watch the movie "Major League" or Major League 2 where the kid catcher stands un and makes the speech when everyone is complaining about their injuries, or whatever it is keeping them from performing. What Atlanta players need is a swift kick in the behind to get back what was theirs most the time.

Danny - He probably was outcoached and there can be no doubt the Vick saga had a very negative impact in terms of morale and actual playing. Atlanta does have some really good players but they need a leader, players without a coach are like fish in a puddle...they can only go so far, and the oxygen gets used up quickly! That said, I do get tired of what can sometimes be seen at whining by the players.

Local NBC Affiliate 11 Alive News is reporting that owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones acted as a liason between the University of Arkansas and the Falcons organization. It is reported that Jones asked the Falcons if the Razorbacks could speak with Petrino and the Falcons said NO. It is amazing that the Razorbacks went ahead with talks with Petrino despite the objections of the Falcons. Falcons owner Arthur Blank was vividly upset to say the least at his news conference this afternoon Link It is also being reported that former Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Bill Cowher's name is being floated but who knows it is still way too early. I say good riddance. And if you listen to Blank's news conference he is absolutely correct in saying the timing was not right and that he is VERY hypocritical to tell his players to play 4 quarters when he cannot see through even one entire season. This is totally unprofessional and demonstrates he is neither a man of his word nor does he have the leadership abilities to lead at this level. Falcons defensive end and first round draft pick from Arkansas, Jamal Anderson characterized Petrino as "disloyal" and said that is what he would tell the University of Arkansas regarding their new head coach.

Steelers Coach Bill Cowher's has been named but also I have read he wanyed to take two yeats off, well see.

David - Thanks for the comment, I hadn't heard he was wanting a two year break. I think he would be great coaching any team but the Falcons could really use someone of his caliber to rally around! I have also heard Singleterry's name being floated but there are questions of how much $$$ he'd want.

Rich- money isn't an option...coaches salraries don't count against a cap...a first-time coach would be significantly less to bring in than a big name like Cowher (who would probably command the most money on the market)....I ran down some possibilities

Jim - While I agree Cowher would command some of the biggest dollars out there, I do believe that Blank is giving every indication that he would like to bring in someone he and the team could count on. While one would expect to pay top dollar for Cowher, you get both loyalty and longevity, I don't know what someone like Singleterry would want versus what Blank would pay. I wish I could see who your possibilities are but the link doesn't work. :(

Rich, I'm sorry....case of the double http's! I don't disagree that Cowher is a phenomenal choice to bring in as a coach and a distinct possibility here.

Jim - Those are excellent choices and I think Carthon could be a real contender!

Up to Mr. Blank who the contenders are I suppose but I would estimate that Mr. Cowher is the front-runner for every open job.....there's a lot of capable men out there, it seems.

Know what I love coming out of Atlanta?? Some good old dirty-south hate.....LOVE the Falcons players references to a certain coach not being a man. When Joey, the pianist, Harrington lets it be known that he's more manly than you......might be time to buy a dress!

Jim - Things are definitely heated in Atlanta right now. I do know it is an emotional time for many of the players, residents, and  the local tv sports reporters. I'm sure many of them cannot wait until the season is over and this ENTIRE nightmare is behind them. The right, new coach can bring closure to the past and vision for the future. The term juvenile and sophmoric definitely comes to mind when I think of Petrino. The south can definitely get as dirty as any gritty New Yorker or Chicagoan (is that the right word?) when it comes to "your moma's so fat..."jokes.

All I can say is...Way To Go Chicken *#@%! How cowardly to walk out on your players and not have the decency to speak with them and tell them the truth. What must they be feeling? With everything else that has happened this season to the team, this was an extremely humiliating, low blow!

The NFL will start to use coaches from the NFL only, this will set back the faclons at least two years.

Cris - 100% agreement here. I think it is the height of cowardice to send your team a form letter and let them see you accepting the Razorbacks' job on tv Tuesday night!

David - College coaches have definitely been problematic but I think there will always be some organizations who are so desperate they will take that chance. I think you may be right on the timeline. Rebuilding is not easy.