Western Kentucky athletic director Todd Stewart is
taking a chance with Bobby Petrino, who was introduced today as the new head
coach at Western Kentucky.
Stewart knows he’s hiring a proven winner and a
coach respected by his peers but also a coach carrying heavy baggage and many
napalmed bridges.
Ask Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich who did
his best to make Petrino one of the highest paid coaches in college
football. Petrino constantly pledged his
commitment to Louisville while secretly meeting with other schools about their
job openings.
After signing a lucrative deal with Louisville
during the 2006 season Jurich saw Petrino bolt for the NFL after receiving a 5
year, 24 million dollar deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Ask Falcons owner Arthur Blank if that was a wise
investment. Petrino didn’t even stay his
first season bolting for Arkansas after giving his word to Blank that “You have
a head coach.”
At least Arkansas did the next day and the Falcons
were in limbo.
Finally ask Arkansas athletic director Jeff
Long. Who saw Petrino elevate the
Razorback football program only to see a motorcycle accident take a, pardon the
pun, a complete left turn.
It uncovered an extra marital affair with Jessica
Dorrell who had been hired by Petrino as Student-Athlete Development Coordinator.
To make a long
story short Petrino never owned up to his mistakes and Long had no choice but
to fire him.
Todd Stewart is now
Petrino’s boss and obviously is aware of his employment history but you can’t
blame him for this hire. Willie Taggart
had upgraded the Hilltopper program and became a hot commodity one South
Florida landed.
Bobby Petrino was
looking to rehabilitate his career, Stewart wanted to keep the momentum going
with the football program.
In a way I guess
the two parties needed each other but will this one end badly too.
(Thanks WHAS-TV)
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