Has Petrino Reached His Ceiling at UL

[John Henry]

All of this speculation of where Petrino may or may not go is interesting. BUT. Petrino has a way of self destruction when he leaves the Louisville Plantation. He jumps to Atlanta and leaves in the middle of the night. He literally crashed and burned at Arkansas. Fortunately he landed back at the one school he has and can play like a toy. A school where honesty and integrity are not a virtue. Corruption is the norm and it plays well with a Petrino.

I think it is best for Petrino to stay put as Louisville is the one school that will allow him to run the show and concentrate only on winning. LSU is too much pressure for a Petrino and it is hard to stay a good boy with New Orleans down the road.

I doubt Petrino goes anywhere.

 

[Kai Slater]

Bobby is going to look out for Bobby. I doubt he leaves UL for anywhere anytime soon, but you never know with him. Just look at how he did Atlanta, practically leaving them in the middle of game, busting out to Fayetteville on a private jet and was seen doing the "ooooooohhh, Pig Sooey!!" dressed up in Razorback gear....or when he snuck down to Auburn for a chat with their AD behind everyone's back. Dude can coach, that's for sure, but you just never know what he might do next.

 

[BMo643]

You just never know. Obviously UK fans want to see the worst in him (and his given everyone a lot to see) and UL fans want to believe he's a changed man but logically you have to believe that he's humbled and learned something from all of his mistakes over the past 15 years. He was young, brash and looking to get to the top of the coaching ranks as quickly as possible 10-15 years ago when he was in his early 40s. Now he's burned bridges and he's right back to where he started and where he had the most early success. UL is a completely different program now than it was during his 1st go around and he basically owes the bulk of his career to Tom Jurich at this point. He's financially secure, he's been publicly shamed, failed miserably and he's right back at UL, older and hopefully wiser. He's got a difficult, yet manageable path to the college football playoff every year, the best player in college football for at least 1 more year at QB and behind him is a 6'5 230 lb replacement...

He might leave. I highly doubt it and I'll be absolutely shocked if it happens but if it does..it does. There's literally not an ounce of doubt in my body that if Petrino left in January that Jeff Brohm would be hanging his name plate on the wall outside Petrino office before Petrino landed in Louisiana.

 

[Nuke99m.]

#3 in the country and poised to make the playoffs if they win against Clemson is a pretty high ceiling. Meanwhile we are in the basement looking for the door to the first floor.

 

[LeonThe Camel]

He literally crashed and burned at Arkansas.

.

[roll]

The reality for me is simple. The toughest places to coach are often the places everyone wants to be. Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, FSU, ND and several others.

They pay big dollars, they are the spotlight colleges. But even if you win, it is sometimes not enough. Miles has a championship, ND is wringing their collective hands over Kelly. Even doing what we consider a dream season, gets you fired at certain schools.

Stay at Louisville and put together a good season every 3 years or go to LSU and get fired for being 9-3 too many times. Hmmmm.

 

[John Henry]

I think Bobby Petrino stumbles when the heat is put on him. I followed his short career at Atlanta and he could not stand the pressure. His actions were often bizarre and he finally broke and left town in disgrace. The NFL will not forget this. At Louisville he is safe because their standards are well questionable to say the least.

I think UL is a perfect fit for him and I do not say that lightly. I wish we had a coach as competent as he is on the field without the personal baggage off of the field. But we do not. If Stoops could beat him 2 out of 10 years that will be an accomplishment. But we are a long way from that.

 

[Bluesnky]

I think Bobby Petrino stumbles when the heat is put on him. I followed his short career at Atlanta and he could not stand the pressure. His actions were often bizarre and he finally broke and left town in disgrace. The NFL will not forget this. At Louisville he is safe because their standards are well questionable to say the least.

I think UL is a perfect fit for him and I do not say that lightly. I wish we had a coach as competent as he is on the field without the personal baggage off of the field. But we do not. If Stoops could beat him 2 out of 10 years that will be an accomplishment. But we are a long way from that.

He was there one season and lost his franchise quarterback, the reason he went to Atlanta, a few weeks before the season began.

He has done well everywhere he has been, aside from the unusual circumstances with the Falcons. He doesn't really have anything to fear as far as whether he can get it done at the highest level. He can also pretty much pick what big time job he wants, if he chooses to leave. Watch Texas and USC, teams in conferences that probably have the easiest paths to a playoff berth.

 

[allabouttheUK]

There is one person at UofL that is a bigger ego/douche than Bobby P, and that is Tommy turtleneck. I would be willing to put my life saving on Tommy having Bobby's contract setup to where it's damn near impossible for him to leave anytime soon. Honestly after all of Bobby's mistakes, he is damn lucky that UofL took him back. Maybe he realizes the gift he has been given and stays put...that's what's I've heard anyway.

 

[buckkiller]

Well if ceiling is competing for NCAA title thats pretty good ceiling.

 

[Bluesnky]

There is one person at UofL that is a bigger ego/douche than Bobby P, and that is Tommy turtleneck. I would be willing to put my life saving on Tommy having Bobby's contract setup to where it's damn near impossible for him to leave anytime soon. Honestly after all of Bobby's mistakes, he is damn lucky that UofL took him back. Maybe he realizes the gift he has been given and stays put...that's what's I've heard anyway.

He has a $10 million buyout. That won't be cost prohibitive to any elite program.

 

[JimboBBN]

Even if it is, #3 in the country and contending for the playoff is a pretty nice ceiling to have. I'd trade that for ours in a heartbeat.

 

[Kratz]

Not sure how the ceiling could get much higher. Ranked #3, legitimate playoff contender, Heisman frontrunner, legitimate conference (something that could be argued against UofL before the ACC), and being in one of the toughest divisions of any conference. FSU, Clemson and UofL are as powerful of a trio as any conference can offer right now, including the SEC.

SEC West: Bama is a given. Brutal team, earned everything they get. After that? LSU? Great talent, but just fired their coach. Ole Miss? FSU already beat them. The gap falls off there.

B-10. OSU is a given, same as Bama. Earned every bit of it. Michigan looks like they're really good. I guess Wisconsin would be next?

I'd put the top 3 of the ACC against any other conferences top 3.

On a side note, I believe that in a couple of years Richt will have Miami back to being Miami again. That'll make 4. JMO on that one though.

 

[redbudman]

He knows now he CAN win a title at Louisville! In today's time if they were to happen to win it, it would be bigger than Miami beating Nebraska in1983!

 

[mdlUK.1]

Well if ceiling is competing for NCAA title thats pretty good ceiling.

Agree. High much higher could he get at LSU?

 

[buckkiller]

Agree. High much higher could he get at LSU?

I think LSU he would have that ceiling just about every year hince the recruiting area he would land into. Its probably top 3 area in country

 

[Michigan Fan]

On a side note, I believe that in a couple of years Richt will have Miami back to being Miami again. That'll make 4. JMO on that one though.

Right now Georgia after what happened last Saturday could be missing Mark Richt..and yes the Canes look much improved under him.

 

[HedleyLamarr]

The game day atmosphere at LSU or Auburn is very compelling for recruiting a coach, but Petrino has several powerful reasons to stay put. The team is very talented, and very young. They are going to get a lot better. His wife has made her home in Louisville for a long time now, and reportedly has zero interest in chasing opportunity. He has a great conference, first rate facilities, and the best possible boss. He can, and probably will be, paid at an elite level at Louisvlle. He has the opportunity to do, at Louisville, what Beamer did at VPI, what Bowden did at FSU, and with the stadium expansion, the game day atmosphere will continue to improve. All in all, his ceiling to do something great and memorable might be higher at Louisville.

 

[vhcat70]

If more experienced means wiser, then he's wiser. Hard time seeing him leave at this point.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Not sure how the ceiling could get much higher. Ranked #3, legitimate playoff contender, Heisman frontrunner, legitimate conference (something that could be argued against UofL before the ACC), and being in one of the toughest divisions of any conference. FSU, Clemson and UofL are as powerful of a trio as any conference can offer right now, including the SEC.

SEC West: Bama is a given. Brutal team, earned everything they get. After that? LSU? Great talent, but just fired their coach. Ole Miss? FSU already beat them. The gap falls off there.

B-10. OSU is a given, same as Bama. Earned every bit of it. Michigan looks like they're really good. I guess Wisconsin would be next?

I'd put the top 3 of the ACC against any other conferences top 3.

On a side note, I believe that in a couple of years Richt will have Miami back to being Miami again. That'll make 4. JMO on that one though.

Not completely disagreeing with you, but I think they are well on their way back, and next year will be the year they are truly back. Good bowl game this year, and next year contending for the 1 of 4 spots.

 

[murpack]

My take on BP is he is(was) emotionally immature. Seems part of that resulted in what I would call a "frat boy" attitude with the resulting behaviors now well chronicled. What he always needed emotionally was a father figure. He got that with Jurich.
Just think of Ernest T. Bass and Andy Taylor. That is why I think he will never leave Mayberry unless something happens to Jurich.

 

[Middlesboro_88]

Bobby has proven that he can do just about anything he can do at LSU at UL.

 

[mdlUK.1]

I think LSU he would have that ceiling just about every year hince the recruiting area he would land into. Its probably top 3 area in country

But LSU would also come with a ton of pressure. Not to just win but to win championships.

At ul, all he has to do is win 8-9 games with an occasional year like this one, and he is a hero.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

mdlUK.1 BINGO!
LSU fans rank at the top as hardest to please.
This is the school that succumb to fan pressure and replaced coaches Ole Cholly Mac and Paul Desiel >spel?) Check this pair record at LSU!
Just my opinion Bobby P. is right where he needs to be.

 

[Beatle Bum]

If his football ceiling is being in the hunt for a playoff birth, he is right there. He will have to replace a lot around JAckson next season. Not sure if they will be as complete a team to support his amazing talent. So, this year is huge. Hard to truly project an outcome after game four. A lot can happen. But, BP's football ceiling appears to be right where UL fans would want it to be.

 

[docholiday51]

UThere is one person at ofL that is a bigger ego/douche than Bobby P, and that is Tommy turtleneck

. I would be willing to put my life saving on Tommy having Bobby's contract setup to where it's damn near impossible for him to leave anytime soon. Honestly after all of Bobby's mistakes, he is damn lucky that UofL took him back. Maybe he realizes the gift he has been given and stays put...that's what's I've heard anyway.

Did Rick leave already?

 

[JimBR_rivals319758]

The next lsu coach will be paid over $5 million a year. Resources are probably better, bigger time atmosphere. Those are the only advantages. He can win a title with the cards same as an sec school.
I think he will stay with the cards long term. Unfortunate for us UK fans.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

All of this speculation of where Petrino may or may not go is interesting. BUT. Petrino has a way of self destruction when he leaves the Louisville Plantation. He jumps to Atlanta and leaves in the middle of the night. He literally crashed and burned at Arkansas. Fortunately he landed back at the one school he has and can play like a toy. A school where honesty and integrity are not a virtue. Corruption is the norm and it plays well with a Petrino.

I think it is best for Petrino to stay put as Louisville is the one school that will allow him to run the show and concentrate only on winning. LSU is too much pressure for a Petrino and it is hard to stay a good boy with New Orleans down the road.

I doubt Petrino goes anywhere.

Not sure what you mean by reached his ceiling. He has UofL ranked number 3 right now with a good chance to get into the playoffs, thats all anyone can ask for from a coach. Don't kid yourself into thinking UofL is the only place who would overlook his transgressions.

Right now, LSU is looking and Petrino is no better than number 3 on their wish list behind Herman and Art Briles. Did Gus save his job Sat. night? I guess it depends on how the rest of the season plays out, 8-4 probably keeps his job, less who know. IF AU ends up looking, their list would look like LSU's with Petrino being number 3. Then there is SoCal who is very unhappy with Helton, Herman is their leader as well and it might be a place he wants to go. But if they miss on him, Petrino is their number 2 guy, I think he would jump at that job faster than a New Your minute. National brand private school with recruiting grounds as good as anyone.

This is all speculation, but with the amount of money involved in college football don't think a sex scandal will keep a top line coach from being desired by other programs. I will always believe the blonde played Bobby and used him to advance her career. Him pulling a couple of strings to get her hired for a higher profile position isn't rare, happens everywhere and no different than a hs coach using a high level recruit to get his foot into college coaching. Hell she would have been a temptation for many 50+ year old men the way she came after him. Many of you forget, its undefeated over time.

 

[allabouttheUK]

Did Rick leave already?

Sadly...no.

 

[MEMEBLUE]

Grumpyolddawg, you are without a doubt the best poster on this board.Your posts are informative and well thought out.

 

[buckkiller]

.

But LSU would also come with a ton of pressure. Not to just win but to win championships.

At ul, all he has to do is win 8-9 games with an occasional year like this one, and he is a hero.

Until they win a championship and it all changes

 

[John Henry]

Right now Georgia after what happened last Saturday could be missing Mark Richt..and yes the Canes look much improved under him.

Georgia really screwed up but they have a history of that. They think they should be in the hunt for a national title every year but their coaching hires come up short. UGA may be one of the schools that would take Petrino. But I doubt he would go there as it is too close to Atlanta. Petrino is pretty much set at UL and that is not a bad gig for one of his values.

 

[Middlesboro_88]

If his football ceiling is being in the hunt for a playoff birth, he is right there. He will have to replace a lot around JAckson next season. Not sure if they will be as complete a team to support his amazing talent. So, this year is huge. Hard to truly project an outcome after game four. A lot can happen. But, BP's football ceiling appears to be right where UL fans would want it to be.

Besides Radcliff and Quick, everyone of Jackson's offensive weapons are freshmen and sophomores. The weapons aren't going anywhere.

 

[BMo643]

Besides Radcliff and Quick, everyone of Jackson's offensive weapons are freshmen and sophomores. The weapons aren't going anywhere.

This is true. The defense will take a hit but his offensive weapons may actually be better next year.

 

[Ollie.ksr]

I personally don't think he is going anywhere right now.

1. He knows Turtleneck gave him another chance, even though Turtleneck threw him under the bus when he left last time. Not really sure how Petrino can even respect him after everything he said about him last time.
2. His family loves Louisville, I think they all live here.
3. He left Atlanta because he wasn't in control. There were players he wanted to cut, but they wouldn't let him and that was very frustrating to him, he didn't think going forward he could get the players he wanted.
4. Like everyone else has stated...not sure what you mean if he's reached his ceiling. They can be in the playoffs this year and win it. ---- Not a big "told you so" kind of guy, but go back and read my reply at the beginning of the season. I told you all they would be very, very good.
5. If they can emotionally get up for this game, they can win it and only have one more obstacle to be in the playoffs.

 

[Kattopper]

He is in a good spot in that conference. Jackson is a once in a lifetime talent and that probably won't be duplicated in his coaching career. Clemson is in the best 3-4 year run that they have seen in years and FSU has been really good under Fisher. Even with these programs being at the top of their game UL is more than holding their own.

Could this be there best chance to get into playoffs/title? I would say yes. They will field a good team most years year BP is there but Jackson gives them something unique that they need against the traditional foes to put them over the top.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Besides Radcliff and Quick, everyone of Jackson's offensive weapons are freshmen and sophomores. The weapons aren't going anywhere.

Look, I know you are a big fan, but the Cards lose key people off the defense that will impact the team next year. Their success is not just premised upon the offense.

 

[Middlesboro_88]

Look, I know you are a big fan, but the Cards lose key people off the defense that will impact the team next year. Their success is not just premised upon the offense.

Yea I agree that we lose alot from our defense. Our defense will take a step or two back next season.