Special offer
Home > Blogs > Rich Dansereau > Rich's Blog
bookmark_border

Bobby Petrino to University of Arkansas

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Positive Real Estate Professionals

Could it be true? A local Atlanta television station, 11 Alive News (NBC Affiliate) is reporting that sources in the Falcons camp are reporting that Bobby Petrino is resigning as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and taking over as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Petrino came to the Falcons on January 8, 2007 after the firing of Jim Mora on New Year's Day. Petrino came with impressive college credentials. Petrino had taken the University of Louisville to a 12-1 season in four years with an overall record of 41-9. Petrino led the Cardinals to their first Big East Conference Championship in 2006 and a subsequent win over Wake Forest in the FedEx BCS Orange Bowl. As a coach he has always been about the offense and it was believed that he and then star QB Michael Vick, along with TE Alge Crumpler, WR Michael Jenkins, and WR Roddy White would form a very potent offense. Couple those weapons with the RB threats of Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood and the Falcons were looking towards a winning season. But then came the dogfighting charges on the first day of training camp. The leader of the offense is gone. Then comes the parade of QB to try to fill his shoes and get something, anything going to no avail. One day after Vick is sentenced...one day after the Falcons suffer yet another humiliating loss to the New Orleans Saints (34-14)...Now this! Could it be? Will Petrino pull a Nick Saban? After Saban's disgraceful I'm staying reallyand then going to the University of Alabama the Dolphins went from bad to dreadful (0-13). Hopefully if Petrino is leaving he will be a man about it and cowboy up! What then? Is Redman still the QB for the Falcons? It is known that Redman got the chance, after a 5 year absence from the NFL, because of his past relationship with Petrino? If not Redman then who? Byron, I throw to the fan wearing the Falcons jersey in the stands, Leftwitch? Harrington? This, if the news reports pan out, is a horrible development for the Falcons and the city of Atlanta. Here is a link to the 11 Alive News story 


About the Author

If you are in the market to purchase a home or even refinance an existing loan and you want a loan officer that will walk with you every step of the way, then contact the Thornton Team at Home America Mortgage today. We can have you pre-approved in as little as 4 hours. You can visit our website or send an email to thorntonteam@hammtg.com or call us @ 404-354-2024.


Show All Comments
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

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

Falcons are holding a press conference tomorrow.

Dec 11, 2007 01:10 PM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR
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...... :)
Dec 11, 2007 03:15 PM
David Hood
Chino Valley Real Estate - Chino, CA
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.
Dec 11, 2007 10:42 PM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru

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. 

Dec 12, 2007 12:51 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR

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.

Dec 12, 2007 12:56 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

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.

Dec 12, 2007 03:45 AM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru
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.
Dec 12, 2007 07:38 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
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.
Dec 12, 2007 07:51 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
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.
Dec 12, 2007 09:27 AM
David Hood
Chino Valley Real Estate - Chino, CA
Steelers Coach Bill Cowher's has been named but also I have read he wanyed to take two yeats off, well see.
Dec 13, 2007 12:51 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

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.

Dec 13, 2007 02:03 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR
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
Dec 13, 2007 02:32 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
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. :(
Dec 13, 2007 07:07 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR
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.
Dec 13, 2007 08:11 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Jim - Those are excellent choices and I think Carthon could be a real contender!
Dec 13, 2007 09:07 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR

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!

Dec 13, 2007 09:23 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
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.
Dec 13, 2007 09:37 AM
Cris Burlew
Beach & Luxury Realty, Inc. - Saint Pete Beach, FL
Broker ~ St Pete Beach FL Real Estate

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!

Dec 13, 2007 12:34 PM
David Hood
Chino Valley Real Estate - Chino, CA
The NFL will start to use coaches from the NFL only, this will set back the faclons at least two years.
Dec 14, 2007 12:41 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

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.

Dec 14, 2007 02:53 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?