Bobby Petrino to coach the Falcons

[BigGameMN]

ESPN is reporting the Bobby Petrino will be the next coach of the Atlanta Falcons. It'll be interesting to see what he does at QB, since Blank has said that the new coach will decide if Vick will be the starter next year.

[Varg6]

wow, that was awfully fast...I thought Whisenhunt would be perfect for those guys, to utilize Vick...whatever lol

[SFCRamFan]

Didn't he just recently sign a long term deal to stay at Louisville?? I'll bet in a few years that he will wish that he stayed there. Oh well, here's another coach for Ron Mexico to blame and get fired...

[Nick]

Didn't he just recently sign a long term deal to stay at Louisville?? I'll bet in a few years that he will wish that he stayed there. Oh well, here's another coach for Ron Mexico to blame and get fired...

According to SportsCenter, Petrino had just signed a 10 year contract with Louisville last summer. Ouch!

[BigGameMN]

Here's an article about the hiring. It doesn't mention it here but the deal is worth 24 million over 5 years

January 07, 2007
Associated Press
ATLANTA — Louisville coach Bobby Petrino agreed Sunday to become the new coach of the Atlanta Falcons, moving to the NFL less than a week after Jim Mora’s firing.

Kenny Klein, the sports information director at Louisville, said Petrino was leaving for Atlanta after guiding the Cardinals to a 12-1 season, capped by a 24-13 victory over Wake Forest on Tuesday night in the Orange Bowl.

Petrino met with his Louisville players Sunday night to let them know he was going to Atlanta. The Falcons planned a formal announcement Monday.

Petrino had a 41-9 record in four years at Louisville, leading the school to the Big East title and its first Bowl Championship Series victory in the Orange. He had just completed the first year of a 10-year, $25 million (all figures U.S.) contract.

The Falcons moved quickly to replace Mora, who was fired just two years after leading Atlanta to the NFC championship game. The Falcons missed the playoffs the past two years, going 7-9 this season.

Petrino’s previous NFL experience includes three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including two seasons as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2001. He then moved back to the college ranks, taking over as Auburn’s offensive coordinator in 2002 before heading to Louisville.

“Nobody thought this would happen, but nobody’s complaining about it,” Cardinals defensive lineman Earl Heyman said. “You can’t fault him considering what he’s done for this program.’’

Petrino led the Cardinals to the Conference USA title in 2004, their final year in that league. Louisville claimed its first BCS appearance this season by winning the Big East.

Petrino’s name repeatedly came up for other coaching vacancies, including an embarrassing episode in which Auburn set up a clandestine interview while Tommy Tuberville was still the Tigers’ coach.

Louisville twice renegotiated Petrino’s contract, giving him hefty raises in hopes of keeping him.

The Falcons spent the past several days interviewing NFL assistants, including Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and San Francisco ***** assistant head coach Mike Singletary.

But owner Arthur Blank, who was aided in the search by general manager Rich McKay, decided to go with an established head coach instead of following the same course he did in 2004.

Mora was the *****’ defensive coordinator when he was hired by the Falcons, and he got off to a rousing start. Atlanta won the NFC South and came up one win short of the Super Bowl, losing at Philadelphia for the conference title.

After a 6-2 start the following year, the Falcons lost six of their last eight games to miss the playoffs and keep alive the franchise’s streak of never having two straight winning seasons.

Atlanta followed a similar path this year, starting out 5-2 before losing seven of nine — including its last four home games.

That didn’t go over well with Blank, who has spent lavishly to build a perennial playoff contender. The hands-on owner also was bothered by several off-the-field incidents, most notably a radio interview late this season in which Mora said his dream job was to coach at the University of Washington, his alma mater.

Mora said he was only kidding, but had to apologize after being summoned to Blank’s office.

[moklerman]

Speaking of who's going to start, what about Atlanta trading Schaub for whatever they can get and drafting the Louisville qb...Brohm? He's supposed to be one of these pro-ready college guy's isn't he? The obvious familiarity with the new HC might sell it.

[Nick]

Speaking of who's going to start, what about Atlanta trading Schaub for whatever they can get and drafting the Louisville qb...Brohm? He's supposed to be one of these pro-ready college guy's isn't he? The obvious familiarity with the new HC might sell it.

It just seems rather pointless to me. The team already has Vick and a young QB prospect. If you're going to consider someone other than Vick, then just keep Schaub and draft someone who's going to improve another area of your team.

[tomahawk247]

If you are considering a new QB then there is no point keeping Vick. His contract is way too much for him to play any other position.

[moklerman]

If you're going to consider someone other than Vick, then just keep Schaub and draft someone who's going to improve another area of your team.

The reason I think it's in the realm of possibility...how remote, I don't know, but in my little scenario, Atlanta would benefit(if I have all my guys matched up correctly)because they would get a qb who already knows how to run the coach's system. I think it's very risky for them to try to pile a new system onto Vick and I question whether or not Vick can acclimate himself to it quickly enough. It may be like a light clicking "on" and he tears up the league but if he stumbles, having a seasoned rookie in Schaub as the backup plan may not be as much of a benefit as a true rookie who know's the system inside and out.

Under any other circumstance I agree that a team wouldn't bother swapping around qb prospects but this seems somewhat unique to me.

[Nick]

I think Petrino is a talented enough offensive mind that he's capable of molding an offense to fit Vick's talents. I think he's flexible and wouldn't have taken a job with a load of money invested in someone like Vick if he didn't think he could build a scheme that takes advantage of what Vick does well.

[BrokenWing]

Vick does something well? I guess if you count throwing bad passes and getting injured alot as something he does well...

Vick needs to go and frankly I think most QBs like him need to go as well. Alot of the run around and try to do everything QBs tend to be amazingly inaccurate and prone to injury.

[laram0]

I think Petrino is a talented enough offensive mind that he's capable of molding an offense to fit Vick's talents. I think he's flexible and wouldn't have taken a job with a load of money invested in someone like Vick if he didn't think he could build a scheme that takes advantage of what Vick does well.

The best scenario for Vick. Let Vick be Vick.

[moklerman]

Yes, the rest of the universe has been holding Vick back. If only he could be allowed to play like Ron Mexico can play.

How many coaches and coordinators and players do they have to burn through before the Vick magic can shine through? Maybe he's just a turd.

[RAMarkable]

One question and a comment.
1.) Who in the world is "Ron Mexico?"

2.) I believe M. Schaub is an unrestricted free agent this year; so if Atlanta is going to keep him they had better tag him or start negotiations now.

WHAT SAY YE?

[Nick]

Maybe he's just a turd.

He's one marketable turd then.

One question and a comment.
1.) Who in the world is "Ron Mexico?"

2.) I believe M. Schaub is an unrestricted free agent this year; so if Atlanta is going to keep him they had better tag him or start negotiations now.

WHAT SAY YE?

1) Read about Ron Mexico here (from April 2005).

2) Schaub is a restricted free agent and will likely get the highest tender.