http://www.courier-journal.com/cjsports/news2004/12/29/C1-fans1229-7942.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. — From the responses across Cardinal Nation yesterday, it was hard to tell what would upset University of Louisville football fans more — if coach Bobby Petrino were to leave for Louisiana State or were to stay Regardless, fan weariness of Petrino's flirtations with other programs spilled over into outright frustration yesterday after the coach acknowledged meeting with LSU officials just five days after agreeing to a lucrative salary increase and voicing his commitment to UofL. On Internet message boards, talk-radio shows and in phone calls to media outlets and UofL's athletic office, talk of Friday's AutoZone Liberty Bowl game against Boise State and Cardinals basketball gave way to a protracted rant on Petrino's future. "Let him go," said Chris Miller of Louisville. "We'll find someone who is proud to be a Cardinal and won't smack us with one hand while he's patting us on the back with the other." Miller's comment, and hundreds like it, show the divide Petrino may have to bridge if he remains at UofL. A year ago fans were forgiving after he met secretly with Auburn officials but told the public and athletic director Tom Jurich that he hadn't. The talk also comes right before the key January recruiting period. "You have to take a person at his word, and your word should be your bond,'' said Willma Smith, mother of Male High School receiver Stephen Garr,a UofL recruit who said he has an official visit planned Jan.7."A lot of the success comes from the players respecting their coach.'' Many fans seem less willing to chalk Petrino's actions up to youthful inexperience. "We will never believe another word he says," said Bill Powell of Jacksonville, Fla., a UofL alumnus. "Too bad. A great coach but not much when it comes to integrity." Said Don Buchhold of Louisville, "I think Petrino has burned his bridges." The developing story made for a busy day on Internet sites devoted to discussions of UofL sports. Howie Lindsey, moderator for Cardinalsports.com, said that site had received more than 100,000 hits before 2:30 p.m. About 2 p.m. more than 500 registered members were logged on to the site, along with more than 1,000 casual observers. And most of the discussion, he said, wasn't favorable for the UofL coach. "The coaching speculation has been hot on the Internet for more than two months, and after the contract announcement last week, most Cardinal fans figured it was over," Lindsey said. "The reaction to the LSU interest has been an explosion of frustration from Cardinal fans on the Web site. People are upset at the mere possibility he could be looking elsewhere." Many fans don't blame Petrino for talking to other schools but are frustrated at the way he handles it. "I have no problem with the man bettering himself," said Jim Willhite, 62, of Eminence, Ky., who added that he's flying out on a charter today for Memphis and the bowl game. "...But obviously Petrino is a slow learner when it comes to public relations. He may have a great agent, but he needs someone to advise him as to how to handle these situations without the public perception of a lack of integrity on his part." At the Cardinal Hall of Fame Café on Crittenden Drive, fans seemed resigned to another round of speculation. "I think Louisville bent over backwards, to tell you the truth," said Steve Hutti of St.Louis, a UofL graduate. "I think there's an obligation to stick it out here." Said Judy M. Magre of Louisville: "I can't blame him in one way because he is young and such a marvelous coach, but I feel bad for us because he already made a verbal commitment to stay and see his kids through high school and he likes Louisville.... "And maybe he won't go there. I'm sure they can really sweeten the pot, but he could have a pretty good life here." Her husband, former Louisville alderman Steve Magre, said, "I'm kind of disappointed it's even being considered, particularly right before this big bowl game. All season Petrino has stated he's focused on game after game after game. Now here we are facing this issue three days before the biggest game in the school's history." Not everyone was eager to see Petrino head south. "A lot of people are getting upset — calmer heads should prevail," said Dan Heiskell of Anchorage. "If he goes, he'll have proven himself to be disingenuous and we'll be better off without him. ... If he stays, we — and he — will be better off. ... Either way, Louisville will be just fine." Randy Fox of Louisville agreed: "I hope he stays; he is a great coach. Still, I have confidence that Tom Jurich knows what he's doing as athletic director."
From a purely cold and cynical standpoint, Petrino may get an edge over other candidates due to this very negative reaction by Cardinals fans and suporters...especially if the rumors of Scott Linehan being interested in the job (he was two years ago when John L. Smith left, and Scott's contract with the Vikings expires this season) are true. If Petrino has burned bridges in Kentucky and boosters are already turning to Linehan, well, Bobby doesn't have much leverage when it comes to contract terms, does he? I don't mean financially, since LSU will pay around $2 mil a year regardless of who the coach turns out to be; I *do* mean contract language and such, specifically a fat buyout clause. Auburn is about to hang a fat $7 mil plus buyout on Tubby and Alabama was talking $10 million with Mike Price (due to the Coach Fran fiasco) before he "rolled" himself right out of Tuscaloosa. If Bobby resists, he can always opt to watch LSU (and Louisville) football in 2005 from the comfort of his living room couch instead.
Spent yesterday afternoon listening to 840 AM WHAS. It's like WWL, a clear channel 50,000 watt station in Louisville, KY. Their drive time DJ, Terry Meiners spent his entire program on Petrino. The people in L-Ville are ready to tar and feather him for 2 reasons, the timing of his new contract and his statements regarding U of L (very Sabanesque). The folks here think given the Auburn debacle last year and his talking with LSU, that it's time for Petrino to go. Having watched him since his arrival at U of L, IMO Petrino could be a good fit at LSU, certainy on the offensive side. He'd have to work on his public relations skills A LOT. Seems to bristle when reporters question him.
Well, I think whoever it is gets $2 mil because what you pay your coach is a "keeping up with the Jones", keeping up appearances-kind of statement about the level of your program. Florida is paying Urban 2 bils a year, as is ND with Weiss and Auburn with Tubby. Mack's new deal gives him just over $2, as well. Of course, OU goes waa-a-ay overboard with Stoops, as is usual; he'll make a cool $3.4 or thereabouts under his newly reworked deal, courtesy of the Florida Gators.
I know how you guys feed on rumors so here it is. I heard he has already been offered 1.4 mill for 6 years with 750 in incentives for 6 years with a 1.5mill buyout clause, but Petrino wants the buyout to be lower. Have fun with this.
