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The famed “Coaching Carousel” has claimed former University of Louisville football head coach Bobby Petrino. Late Sunday evening Petrino officially signed a tentative contract with the National Footbal League’s Atlanta Falcons to take over as head coach for the 2007-08 season.
Petrino’s new $24 million, five year contract nearly doubles his former $25 million ten year contract as he claims the recently vacant post from Falcons fromer head coach Jim L. Mora. Mora was the coach of the Falcons from 2004 through 2006. He is the son of the more widely known Jim E. Mora who coached for the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.
The agreement between Petrino and the Falcons comes as a surprise to many U of L students, players and college football fans, especially because of the timing.
The U of L football team experienced their first Bowl Championship Series invite and victory as they won the 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl on Jan. 2.
Now some students and fans feel betrayed.
“I’m really not surprised [that it is so sudden],” said sophomore math major Jason Rand. “He’s lied to us before, by interviewing with Auburn and the [Oakland] Raiders when he said he wasn’t.” I’m going to miss him because he has done great things for our program. I hope Tom Jurich can go out and find us another great coach.”
“I think it is really crappy, he told us he was gonna stay, but now he is leaving. Next year there were hopes of a National Championship with [Brian] Brohm and [Michael] Bush hopefully coming back, but now it looks like both Brohm and Bush won’t be coming back. It is a big leap backwards for the program,” said sophomore justice administration major Patrick Wolford.
However Petrino wanted to make it clear that his heart still resides in Louisville.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am with the commitment and the confidence that Tom Jurich has in me and the university has in me,” Petrino said after signing the contract.
“I also wanted to make sure that everyone understood, I know I’ve said it, that this is where my family wants to be,” said Petrino. “This is where I want to be. I want everyone to really believe it.”
“Bobby Petrino did a great job here at Louis-
