Reasons why many UofL Fans and Alums want to rehire Bobby Petrino:

1. We know he can win: Petrino was extremely successful at UofL last time taking the Cards to 11 and 12 win seasons and a BCS game in just four years. And if competition is an issue, I bring to your attention his success in the almighty SEC taking Arkansas to a BCS game while having 10 and 11 win seasons. Point being say what you want about Bobby he can win and win big.

2. Bobby has Swag: Bobby is cocky and I LOVE IT! This is the guy that one year after scoring a late TD against uk took a knee on the one yard line and said “I’m just giving them what they want.” And don’t you act like you didn’t hold your head a little higher while Bobby was here….I look forward to having that CardSwag back.

3. Bobby may be the closest thing to a lifer we ever get: Think about it….James Franklin would be great but how long till he goes back to the SEC. Coordinators would probably use UofL as that “Stepping Stone” but not Bobby. Lets be honest the NFL will never touch Bobby again and now with the ACC and a Playoff it will be MUCH easier to win a National Title. Oh and Bobby will get paid!! He’s made the mistake of leaving Jurich once; he won’t do it again.

4. That Offense: Anyone that complained about Shawn Watson this year should be jumping for joy. I know we all remember the days of 50 point games and 500 yards offense! That’s what Bobby did then, now stop and think what will he do with Brown, Dyer, Christian, Towbridge, Parker, Quick, Rogers, Harris, Milton, Clark and everyone else……………………. Yea I’ll let that sink in.

http://cardinalsportszone.com/2014/01/05...rino-back/

I can certainly get the temptation of bringing Petrino back and wouldn't blame them if they did.

But I'd also be looking hard at Butch Davis.

But can he still recruit at an elite level with the extra baggage he has now. A lot of parents look at the infidelity and don't want to send their son to be mentored by him. He didn't have a great year at WKU. The first year post scandal.

edit : just devil's advocate, I think he's a great choice for Louisville.

If I were a Louisville fan I'd want nothing to do with Petrino. The guy has long had "sleazeball" written all over him. He's certainly an excellent college football coach but he is also a complete sleazeball based on what he did to Louisville with Auburn, what he did to the Falcons with Arkansas and what he did to his own wife with that young hottie. You may be willing to forgive all of that all in the name of football glory but I will think less of Louisville if they re-hire that creep.

It reminds me of when Pitt was looking to replace Ben Howland as its men's basketball coach and John Calipari - a Pittsburgh native and former Pitt assistant - openly campaigned for the job. He even went on CBS with Howland to have Ben make his case for him. It was very strange and incredibly awkward. Anyway, we all knew that we would win big with Calipari but we still didn't want him. Why? Because he's a sleazeball and a cheater and we're better than that. We decided that we can win without selling our soul. He found his home at Kentucky which doesn't mind if he cheats so long as he wins; and we're all set with Jamie Dixon. Dixon has not yet won the big one but he doesn't skeeze you out every time he speaks either. I don't instinctively grab for my wallet after I hear Dixon speak.

However, Pitt is not a win-at-all-costs school so that may explain the different mindsets between us and your longing for Petrino and your school's backing of Clint Hurtt - another brazen cheater. I just think that the U of L can do better than Petrino but apparently, most of your fans disagree with that assessment. It will be interesting to see how things pan out for you in your search.

On some level there is the feeling of the getting the girl back who thought she could do better.

But the biggest issue Louisville fans want Petrino is we still remember 70-7, 69-14, 56-5, 63-27 scores.

(01-06-2014 11:33 AM)ULdave Wrote:  On some level there is the feeling of the getting the girl back who thought she could do better.

But the biggest issue Louisville fans want Petrino is we still remember 70-7, 69-14, 56-5, 63-27 scores.

Myself...on board with the rumored candidates like Bob Petrino, Chad Morris, Derek Mason, Jim McElwaine, Pat Narduzzi and even Promoting Vance Bedford and keeping Shawn Watson as OC...just no to Cutcliffe and RichRod...bad fits IMO.

I like Lou_C's choice of Butch Davis. Would be a great fit for UL.

(01-06-2014 11:47 AM)Maize Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 11:33 AM)ULdave Wrote:  On some level there is the feeling of the getting the girl back who thought she could do better.

But the biggest issue Louisville fans want Petrino is we still remember 70-7, 69-14, 56-5, 63-27 scores.

Myself...on board with the rumored candidates like Bob Petrino, Chad Morris, Derek Mason, Jim McElwaine, Pat Narduzzi and even Promoting Vance Bedford and keeping Shawn Watson as OC...just no to Cutcliffe and RichRod...bad fits IMO.

I'll live with any of them. But would agree that Cutcliffe and RR probably wouldn't be my top choices.

(01-06-2014 11:49 AM)ClairtonPanther Wrote:  I like Lou_C's choice of Butch Davis. Would be a great fit for UL.

Butch Davis + Clint Hurtt...really...you must want the NCAA to just park on Floyd Street...

(01-06-2014 10:02 AM)Maize Wrote:  Reasons why many UofL Fans and Alums want to rehire Bobby Petrino:

1. We know he can win

Who cares about the other reasons?

Unfortunately too many of our fans remember Petrino and think any offense that does not do what his did are failures. Many don't comprehend that if you plan to win with an elite defense, you must sacrifice to an extent flexibility on offense unless you have a far superior talent level to every one else you are playing.

I am indifferent on Bobby. On the one hand, you know what you will get production wise. But the PR hit, not just to the school, but that it will permanently hinder his ability to recruit elite talent... while he is known to develop players at a higher curve than most, you don't want to ALWAYS start behind the eight ball.

(01-06-2014 01:33 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  I am indifferent on Bobby. On the one hand, you know what you will get production wise. But the PR hit, not just to the school, but that it will permanently hinder his ability to recruit elite talent... while he is known to develop players at a higher curve than most, you don't want to ALWAYS start behind the eight ball.

Not sure I really buy the recruiting argument. While it certainly doesn't help in the short term, I'm not sure it will be as big of a hindrance over the long term as some fan are making it out to be. Pitino's recruiting has been just fine despite his off the court issue. If Petrino wins big and starts putting loads of players into the NFL, the recruits will come.

That said, I'm fine either way. If he comes, cool. If he doesn't, that is cool too.

(01-06-2014 01:33 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  Unfortunately too many of our fans remember Petrino and think any offense that does not do what his did are failures. Many don't comprehend that if you plan to win with an elite defense, you must sacrifice to an extent flexibility on offense unless you have a far superior talent level to every one else you are playing.

I am indifferent on Bobby. On the one hand, you know what you will get production wise. But the PR hit, not just to the school, but that it will permanently hinder his ability to recruit elite talent... while he is known to develop players at a higher curve than most, you don't want to ALWAYS start behind the eight ball.

I'm not a Louisville guy, so I can't speak to why they may or may not want Petrino back. But I've been around the block enough times to know that fans (and recruits) have very short memories about anything except winning. There is no personal peccadillo that can't be forgiven and forgotten, and the speed with which that can happen is stunning.

Really interesting dilemma for Louisville.
He's a proven winner but also a proven sleazeball.
I guess it all depends on how big a PR hit you may take.
I doubt the NFL will take him right now so he will most likely stay in college football. Its a tough call, but just remember if you make a bad choice with your football coach you can suffer for 5 years minimum. At least that's what happened at Syracuse. Good luck to Louisville.

Ol' motor scooter Petrino? Why not bring back Papa John L. Smith?

(01-06-2014 02:08 PM)UofLgrad07 Wrote:  Not sure I really buy the recruiting argument. While it certainly doesn't help in the short term, I'm not sure it will be as big of a hindrance over the long term as some fan are making it out to be. Pitino's recruiting has been just fine despite his off the court issue. If Petrino wins big and starts putting loads of players into the NFL, the recruits will come.

The recruiting analysts for Scout, who were asked about it, ALL said it would hinder in recruiting far more than the other candidates for a number of reasons. Not just my saying it. HE was never a top flight recruiter to begin with. Now he could spot under the radar talent, but that is not the same as being a good recruiter.

(01-06-2014 03:11 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(01-06-2014 02:08 PM)UofLgrad07 Wrote:  Not sure I really buy the recruiting argument. While it certainly doesn't help in the short term, I'm not sure it will be as big of a hindrance over the long term as some fan are making it out to be. Pitino's recruiting has been just fine despite his off the court issue. If Petrino wins big and starts putting loads of players into the NFL, the recruits will come.

The recruiting analysts for Scout, who were asked about it, ALL said it would hinder in recruiting far more than the other candidates for a number of reasons. Not just my saying it. HE was never a top flight recruiter to begin with. Now he could spot under the radar talent, but that is not the same as being a good recruiter.

This is from Football Scoop...Rich Rod is OUT....Good....Bedford interviewed today and I do wonder why he is not considered a high tier candidate by the media:

Louisville: Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, who is expected to follow Charlie to Texas, was interviewed this morning for the job. Kirk Bohls reports that Tom Jurich will now interview several more candidates and a hire should come by the end of the week. We've been hearing Jurich will move faster than this; but we'll keep you updated.

Arizona: Sources tell us Rich Rodriguez is expected to remain at Arizona despite significant interest from Louisville.

http://www.footballscoop.com/the-scoop

I personally would prefer a Fresh New face rather than re-hire Bobby. Mainly due to his Xtra Baggage. because he is/was a great Offensive coach.

FLossY out...

It is Louisville's choice, but I would not want Bobby Petrino back. There is too much baggage and I think it would hurt recruiting. Tom Jurich did a great job finding talented head coaches before and I think he'll do it again. Even if it's an assistant at another school chances are Jurich knows what he is looking for.

I always liked Petrino as a Coach but not His personal drawbacks. That said I was Happy to see Vance Bedford was interviewed, He has Strong ethics, Knows the System and the Players like Him. He has had a Top 6 defense the last couple of years and could keep most of the Recruits intact. Also Narduzzi or Morris would work out fine. Would like to see interest from Franklin at Vandy if PSU fall through but it might be too late for that.