Monday, December 27, 2004


Sources: LSU's Bertman met Sunday with Louisville coach Petrino

By Mike Triplett
Staff writer

ORLANDO, FLA. - LSU athletic director Skip Bertman met with Louisville coach Bobby Petrino on Sunday to discuss the Tigers' coaching vacancy, several sources told The Times-Picayune.

Neither LSU nor Louisville officials would confirm the meeting. But Lousiville athletic director Tom Jurich confirmed that LSU asked for and received permission to speak with the 43-year-old coach.

Bertman has not returned phone calls for the past two days, and the school said it does not wish to comment on the specifics of the search process at this time. Bertman's whereabouts were not confirmed Sunday, and it is not clear where the meeting took place.

It is also not clear if Petrino is LSU's top candidate or if he was simply the first coach contacted. His team arrived in Memphis, Tenn., late Sunday night to begin preparations for the Liberty Bowl. So the quick interview was likely arranged on Petrino's timetable.

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