Bobby Petrino

So it is not new news that Arkansas managed to pull Bobby Petrino from the NFL to become the head football coach.

What are my thoughts? Well, I was extremely excited when I heard the news. I really had started to think that the best that they would be able to get would be either a low tier head coach or possibly a respectable assistant. Given Coach Petrino's stats, he sounds like a great change for a program that has become stagnant over its lack of ability to be 100% aggressive on the offensive side of the ball through the ground AND the air.  The Razorbacks have become so one dimensional, I really do feel that is the only reason they have not been able to reach that next level.  A coach like Petrino brings a well balanced attack that is very offensive minded, with solid defensive fundamentals. On paper it looks to be just the change the Hog Nation and program needs.

These were my thoughts as of last night.

I still think its great that we got him, but I am increasingly bothered by the bad press not only he is getting, but the school is getting from hiring him. Its more shots from ESPN and Atlanta sports writers at Petrino's character, but some go on to say that he "left an NFL gig to go to.... Arkansas." I cannot help but take offense to that. I realize Arkansas is not Florida, Alabama, or USC when it comes to tradition. Arkansas has great facilities, prestigious alumni, and once upon a time were a very very tough and thoroughly respected football program. Not to mention when they won 22 straight games during the 60s, and all those years of battles in the SWC - especially against Texas. The state is producing more and more upper echelon D1 athletes, but has had a problem keeping them all. We have 3 kids that have left in the last 2 years that should be starting (or close to) at schools like Auburn, Michigan, and USC.  The three that come to mind are all quarterbacks. It sounds like Petrino is just as likely to stay here for 1 or 2 years, and bolt than he was to take the job in the first place.  His personal character has been attacked, and he has been called a liar. While this is not a direct insult to Arkansas, it almost sounds like the press thinks that he should be removed from coaching completely. The media never has given much respect to Arkansas, not even during track competitions (43 national titles), and not during the early half of the 90s when Arkansas appeared in 3 final fours during that time ( 6 overall ) and 2 NCAA Basketball Championship games - winning in 1994.

As long as he can recruit, develop players, especially the skill positions that we have not had at Arkansas in years, Petrino is a welcomed change among fans. He has got to keep those players instate that keep leaving. Why did they leave? I believe it was because our old coach was unable to develop a quarterback. Why would a parade all american QB want to stick around for a ground attack offense? I liked Houston Nutt, but lets face it, he was there for 10 years. He took the program to a level closer to what it used to be back in the SWC days, but never could get it to the next level. Petrino is a great change in that concept. He CAN develop a quarterback, and thats what his career has revolved around. He can, and even much so with a great assistant staff, develop solid running backs. With all this, the state should start to retain more of its offensive skill players during Petrino's tenure - as long as they can trust him.

The bad press is bothersome not only because its bad mouthing our new hire, but because it makes me trust Petrino less. From the media's perspective, which is basically all I have to go on, its hard to make a full commitment to him given his flight risk. What if he coaches here, recruiting suffers because he cannot gain their trust, and then he bolts after 2 years, and we are in worse shape than we are now. Only time will tell, but for now I just have to be excited that we actually have such an offensive minded coach coming into a stale offensive program.

Pros:

• Well established coaching record
• Offensive Minded Coach, but believes in balanced attack
• Can develop a quarterback
• Wants to get back to college football
• Has experience in all levels as OC, QB Coach, and Head Coach
• Arkansas has plenty of money budgeted to allow him to pick quality assistants

Cons:

• Under media attack for the way he left the Falcons
• No proven ability to honor contracts or stay in one place for more than a short period of time
• Set on being his own SEC Offensive Coordinator (sounds like Nutt)
• Reported as untrustworthy, which could effect recruiting
• Not from region - could hurt recruiting as he does not know the region or have established regional relationships

What do you think?