Meet the New Hires: Bobby Petrino

Dec. 11, 2007 – Head Coach - Arkansas
2007 – Head Coach – Atlanta Falcons
2003-06 – Head Coach – Louisville
2002 – Offensive Coordinator – Auburn
2001 – Offensive Coordinator – Jacksonville Jaguars
1999-2000 – Quarterbacks Coach – Jacksonville Jaguars
1998 – Offensive Coordinator - Louisville
1995-97 – Offensive Coordinator – Utah State
1994 – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach – Nevada
1992-93 – Quarterbacks Coach – Arizona State
1990-91 – Offensive Coordinator – Idaho
1989 – Quarterbacks Coach - Idaho
1987-88 – Wide Receivers/Tight Ends Coach – Weber State
1985-86 – Offensive Coordinator – Carroll College
1984 – Graduate Assistant Quarterbacks Coach – Weber State
1983 – Graduate Assistant Coach – Carroll College

One of the biggest coaching splashes this offseason was the hiring of Bobby Petrino by Arkansas. The move sent shock waves from the collegiate level all the way to the pros. There has been much discussion about the manner in which he left the Atlanta Falcons. Many of his former players were furious about his abrupt departure back to the college ranks in the middle of the season. However, one thing's for sure, Bobby Petrino has been awfully successful coaching in college.

His only collegiate head coaching experience comes from his years at Lousiville from 2003-2006. In that span he brought Louisville to unprecedented levels of success. During that time he posted a 41-9 record over the course of 4 seasons. The success he brought Louisville was a primary reason they were able to jump into the Big East from Conference USA.

His two most notable seasons at Louisville were 2004 and 2006. In 2004 he guided the Cardinals to an 11-1 record, a Liberty Bowl victory over highly ranked Boise State, a Conference USA championship and a #7 ranking in the final polls. In 2004 Petrino's offense lead the nation in yards per game and points per game. Not to be outdone by that spectacular season, in 2006 Louisville showed they could really contend with the big boys. In 06' the Cardinal's ranked #6 in the nation at season's end after posting a 12-1 record and knocking off ACC champ Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl. That game was the school's first ever BCS game. That season also marked the school's first and only Big East title.

Petrino is highly regarded as a quarterback's best friend. He's mentored the likes of Jake Plummer, Chris Redman, Mark Brunell and most recently Brian Brohm. If history holds true to form, Bobby Petrino and highly regarded transfer Ryan Mallett should be a match made in hawg heaven. Mallett was arguably the #1 prospect to come out of high school last year when he signed with Michigan. After the hiring of Rich Rodriguez, Mallett decided to transfer to Arkansas due to Petrino and the proximity to his Texarkana, TX home.

From his first stint coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma mater Carroll College, to his days as an offensive coordinator at Idaho, Nevada, and Auburn to the most recent stint in college as head coach at Louisville, Bobby Petrino has always had wildly successful offenses. The Lewistown, MT native has been a winner everywhere he has gone, and he should be able to make Arkansas an annual contender for the SEC crown.