Following a dramatic run at Arkansas that ended with him getting fired unceremoniously, Bobby Petrino rejoined the coaching ranks in college football again, taking the head-coaching job at Western Kentucky.
Petrino was introduced in a press conference by the school on Monday and will attempt to reshape his public image after the controversy at Arkansas.
"At this point in my career, it's about getting back and coaching players," Petrino said to the Associated Press. "It just happened to open up at a place we love. I hope it can be as long as possible."
Petrino was fired by Arkansas in April after a motorcycle accident revealed that he was having an affair with a football program staffer who was a former Razorback volleyball player. An investigation revealed that he had given her $20,000 in gifts and may have hired her improperly.
He was fired for a "pattern of misleading" behavior, but was rumored in openings around football, including Tennessee and Cincinnati.
"I'm going to be able to sit down with mom and dad and the student-athlete and make them understand how this experience has made me a better coach, a better person and will make me understand their son better," Petrino said during a packed news conference at Houchens-Smith Stadium. I'm looking forward to the opportunity I'll be able to give student-athletes when they make a mistake."
During his time at Arkansas, Petrino went 34-17 over four years and won two of three bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl last season. The Razorbacks went 11-2 in 2011 and finished third in the SEC West with a 6-2 record. Petrino had a 17-15 conference record while at Arkansas.
The 51-year-old coach replaces Willie Taggart, who was hired as the new head coach of South Florida following Skip Holtz. Taggart led Western Kentucky to a 7-5 record this season and an appearance in its first-ever bowl game as an FBS school. Taggart took over an 0-12 and helped improve the program
In his career, Petrino is 72-26 as a head coach and said that he is looking forward to "building on the foundation and standards" that Taggart established.
According to ESPN.com, Petrino's deal is for four-years and includes a base annual salary of $850,000. "If he terminates the deal at any time, he must re-pay the university $1.2 million in six monthly payments starting the month after he leaves."
Athletic director Todd Stewart spoke to the press about Petrino's past and any criticism he may face for hiring him.
"What it comes down is that he made a big mistake and he acknowledges that and he's taken ownership of that," Stewart said. "And he's paid a heavy price for it. But this is the United States of America, and we're a country of second chances. I was confident after talking with him and with other people that he deserved a second chance and we are more than happy to give it to him."
Western Kentucky belongs to the Sun Belt conference as opposed to the stellar SEC, but the lack of spotlight could be a positive for Petrino, who was under fire after the scandal broke in Arkansas.
People all over the world have sex," Phil Wiseman, a 68-year old season ticket holder, responded when asked how Petrino would be received in the Bible Belt, according to USA Today. "Having a coach the caliber of Bobby Petrino in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is a great thing."
The hiring of Petrino is an example of another high-profile head coach taking a new job, following Bret Bielema at Arkansas (who replaced John L. Smith who replaced Bobby Petrino), Butch Jones at Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati.
Petrino coached at Louisville before moving to Arkansas and was 41-9 from 2003 to 2006. He coached the Cardinals to a BCS bowl berth in the Orange Bowl, but left the job to become head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.
The Falcons started the season 3-13 and Petrino earned the first smear on his reputation, leaving the team in the middle of the season by posting a letter in the locker room and then taking the Arkansas job.
Petrino led the Razorbacks to a Sugar Bowl berth in 2010 and improved the team's record in every season he was there. While with Arkansas, Petrino put together impressive rosters of recruits and explosive offensive players. He will have a harder time finding quality recruits at Western Kentucky, but his high profile will help the program.
"I'm confident that he'll be here for a while and hope that he's here for a long time," Stewart said. "No one person is bigger than the program, it's about the program. The important thing is that the program continues to develop and get better and go to places that its never been. You need a field general to give you the best chance to have that happen, and Coach Petrino is the best one out there for us."
The Hilltoppers were ranked 41st in the nation in rushing this season and scored 25 points per game. Antonio Andrews was the most impressive player on the team, rushing for 1,609 yards and 11 touchdowns, but it is unclear if he will return for his senior season. He rushed for over 100 yards nine times in 12 games this season and had 230 yards in the final game against North Texas
Western Kentucky named defensive coordinator Lance Guidry interim coach on Saturday and he will coach the team in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl on Dec. 26 against Central Michigan. Petrino will take over the program after the bowl game.
