APThe coaching carousel rumor mill began churning out potential candidates for the Kentucky job even before Joker Phillips was fired earlier this week. One such candidate popular among the message boards was former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino. Now that the metaphorical guillotine has indeed fallen on Phillips, the Petrino-to-UK conjecture has picked up. Thanks to some rather interesting quotes from Petrino’s father to the Louisville Courier-Journal, said conjecture won’t be going away anytime soon.
Or, at least until Kentucky introduces its new head coach… and it’s not Petrino.
Bob Petrino told the paper Wednesday that his son, fired from Arkansas this past spring for committing a quid pro quo with football assistant Jessica Dorrell and then misleading athletic director Jeff Long about the affair, would jump at the opportunity to coach the Wildcats (but really, to coach in the SEC again).
“I know he wants a job; he needs a job,” Petrino Sr. told the paper. “He told me, ‘I need a job, Dad.’ I said, ‘Well, you must still have some money. You made 31/2 million dollars.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I do. It’s not the money.’ He just misses coaching so much.”
“I just know this, that he’s interested in Kentucky. He wants to stay in the SEC. That was his life’s goal was to go to the SEC.”
Coaching is hard profession to leave – Urban Meyer tried and couldn’t — so Petrino’s apparent need to get back on the sidelines after just seven months away from the game isn’t surprising. Not to mention he still has to be in his wife’s doghouse for cheating. I’d want to get away from that too because you know that couch in the coach’s office is way more comfortable than the one at home.
The idea of Petrino coaching the Wildcats is interesting, however. Petrino coached at Louisville from 2003-06 before leaving for the Atlanta Falcons, and some believe that Petrino has no interest in coaching the Cardinals’ in-state rival. But the more pertinent question would be if Kentucky wants Petrino. On Sunday shortly after Phillips was fired, Yahoo! Sports reported that UK did not have interest in the former Hogs coach.
You can color me surprised if Petrino gets hired anywhere in the SEC after this season. Make no mistake — Petrino will be coaching again soon. He’s been too successful not to get hired. But it’s unlikely any available SEC jobs will turn to Petrino given his complete professional disregard for Long and UA when there are solid options out there, and no, we don’t mean Jon Gruden thank you very much.
Petrino and Calipari at Kentucky? The NCAA may have to open a satellite office in Lexington to express deliver sanctions.
Attention Petrino head coach needed at Auburn…
Petrino’s never had NCAA problems. He’s a dirtbag, but not a cheater.
Is there an extra position open for his girlfriend?
I’m sure Bobbie will get another shot again very soon. My hope is, when that happens, he’s figured out how to treat people better. Not many who have ever worked with him or for him have anything positive to say. Maybe the time off alone gave him some time to reflect.
Mislead his AD?
You mean lied to his AD, right?
My dad says I would coach there if they offered, too!!!
Dear theraiderskin: yes there are positions for Petrino’s girlfriend . . there is missionary, doggie, gal on top, etc
the only option for Gruden is to turn his mic off…..horrible!
@raiderskin
Is there an extra position open for his girlfriend?
—————————————————
Ankles behind the ears???
HE DOESN’T DESERVE AS A HEAD COACH OR ANY KIND OF COACH. I WOULD NEVER ALLOW A SON OF MINE TO EVER PLAY FOR HIM OR BE ON A TEAM THAT HE HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH. McDONALDS MIGHT HIRE HIM IF HE NEEDS A JOB.
How is this news? Petrino would coach at any major college if they offered him the job.
In response to my previous comment, I would take the Kentucky job also. Just make me an offer.
Gruden is going to Tennessee
No doubt he’d take the job, but that is going to be a tough task for whoever gets it. Not just a basketball schools but an incredibly hard conference where every single fans believes it is possible for all the schools to be on top at one time. Hint: You can’t all play each other for the whole season and have every team finish with a winning record in-conference.
I still think they should hire Phil Fulmer and move on.
Mike69, why r u yelling.
Petrino done in NCAA premier conferences….look for him in the Sun Belt, CUSA or MAC. Either that or spending Sundays calling plays in the NFL.