The Pros and Cons of Bobby Petrino

Bobby Petrino’s father’s comments to the Courier-Journal about his son being interested in the Kentucky job have set off a firestorm in the fanbase. From the reaction so far, it appears fans are equally divided when it comes to whether or not they want Petrino as coach. While we wait for rumors of private jets heading to Lexington and horse farm real estate deals, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hiring Petrino. First up…

THE FACTS
— Here are Bobby Petrino Sr.’s comments to the Courier-Journal’s Adam Himmelsbach:

“I know he wants a job; he needs a job. He told me, ‘I need a job, Dad.’ I said, ‘Well, you must still have some money. You made 31/2 million dollars.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I do. It’s not the money.’ He just misses coaching so much.”

“I just know this, that he’s interested in Kentucky. He wants to stay in the SEC. That was his life’s goal was to go to the SEC.”

“I think he’d win [at Kentucky]. He can win. He’s proven that. He went to Arkansas and I don’t think he ever had, by the experts, a class of recruiting that was in the top 10. And the last year he coached there he won 11 games, and the year before that he won 10, so he has his own way of recruiting and judging people.”

“He told me he might take the first job he gets offered. Of course, I’m his dad and he’s my son, so I believe in him.”

PROS

— Undeniably talented. One of the best offensive minds in the game. He has won big at every college job he’s had. Petrino may be the most talented coach Kentucky could land right now.

— Wants a job now, may be desperate enough to come to Kentucky

— A known name that brings excitement and recognition to the program

— Has proven that he can bring instant results. Here are his records as a head coach at the college level:
Louisville
2003: 9—4
2004: 11—1
2005: 9—3
2006: 12—1

Arkansas
2008: 5—7
2009: 8—5
2010: 10—3
2011: 11—2

— Knows the Kentucky area from his time at Louisville, understands how to recruit in the SEC

— No NCAA issues

— Seems remorseful? For the first time in his career, reached out to his former players at Arkansas after being fired to apologize. In an interview with ESPN, he further apologized for his actions and seemed to be taking the right steps to rehab his image.

CONS

— Is he really interested in Kentucky or were the comments by his father a red herring to prod Auburn or other SEC schools to make him an offer?

— Ethically, a total trainwreck. See: Jessica Dorrell.

— Has a history of putting himself first.

— Has left every program he’s coached in shambles.

— Is notoriously hard to work for and with.

— Might leave Kentucky after two or three years for a better job.

— It is widely understood that Mitch Barnhart has reservations about hiring him.

— Has a track record of trash talking the Cats during his time at Louisville, including the infamous “Louisville 28, Slapd!cks nothing. I f*&$ing love it, those little smurfs didn’t even score a point” comment after Louisville’ win over UK in 2004.

THE QUESTIONS

— Would you be willing to roll the dice on Bobby Petrino if it meant the Cats would win big?

— Will Barnhart even consider it?

— Are Bobby Petrino Sr.’s comments sincere or a ploy to get an offer from Auburn or other SEC schools?

— Would the scandal at Arkansas hurt him when it comes to recruiting?

— How long would Petrino stick around if he did come here?

Let it out.