Mike Zimmer calls Petrino a ‘coward’ over his 2007 exit
Former Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer (right) is probably not having Bobby Petrino over for a cookout this summer. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
After practice in Cincinnati on Wednesday, former Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer ripped former head coach Bobby Petrino.
Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in 2007, the season that Petrino abruptly resigned 13 games into the season. Zimmer ended up in Cincinnati and has led the defense to its highest ranking in three decades last season at No. 4.
“When a coach quits in the middle of the year and ruins a bunch of people’s families and doesn’t have enough guts to finish out the year, I’m not a part of it,” Zimmer told the Cincinnati media. “And you can put that in the Arkansas News Gazette. I don’t really give a (bleep). He’s a coward, he ruined a bunch of people’s lives, a bunch of families, kids, because he didn’t have enough (guts) to stay there and finish the job. And that’s the truth. Most people in football have enough courage about him and enough fight to stick it out and not quit halfway through the year. It’s cowardly.”
Petrino went back into the college ranks to coach at Arkansas. Zimmer shined some light on Petrino’s exit.
“He came in and said he resigned, (said) he’d talk to us all at a later date, walked out of the office and no one has talked to him since,” Zimmer said. “Not that anybody wanted to. He’s a gutless (bleep). You can quote that.”
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194 comments Add your comment
petrino sniper
October 21st, 2010
9:29 am
bobbyp@ihavenojuevos.com
petrino sniper
October 21st, 2010
9:32 am
littleBobbyP@imawussy/coward/cut-throat/prepuce/have-no-juevos/cryeverynight/lil-*itch.com
Raychee
October 21st, 2010
9:33 am
Petrino is my hero! He’s so cuddly with his cute red hair!
Steve
October 21st, 2010
9:43 am
Hey 1990_Champs_GT: Are you in prison in Arkansas? Or does your wife or boyfriend tell you where to live? If you view your residential status in Arkansas as “unfortunate,” then grow a pair and move. I’m guessing there are no defensive coordinators lives to ruin if you pick up and leave. So go already.
Karl
October 21st, 2010
9:49 am
Hard to get the stink off this turd.
Zoomie
October 21st, 2010
9:53 am
Bubba Bean October 20th, 2010@6:49 pm wrote:
True story – Patrino and an assistant coach are on a recruiting trip traveling down an Arkansas dirt road when they happen upon a Razorback with it’s head caught in a barbed wire fence.
Assitant coach: “Boy, I sure wish there was something we could do for that hog.”
Patrino: “Shoot, I just wish it was dark already!”
The way I heard the story is this:
After coming upon the helpless hog, the assistant couldn’t believe his luck and decided to take advantage. He went over and had his way with the trapped hog.
When the assistant was finished, he walked up to Petrino, and while fastening his belt, said, “Okay, coach P, it’s your turn.”
At which point Petrino promptly walked over and stuck his head in the fence.
JSS
October 21st, 2010
9:56 am
By the way, you live in Atlanta (or the vicinity), Hue Jackson and Zimmer have been vocal since day one about how they felt about what Petrino did to his deserted staff, the Falcons organization, and more importantly the families involved… Readily, Vikki Zimmer diagnosis, treatment, and death took precedence in the MAN’s life… What he did from there was the take of his (family and new job), he should be commended!
Larry
October 21st, 2010
10:07 am
Chris,
I think you’re a gutless piece of s__t too and if it would have more value and impact for you I’d be happy to meet you at anywhere of your choosing to tell you face to face.
Got courage?
JSS
October 21st, 2010
10:10 am
One last thing, it was not a couple of years ago… Vikki Zimmer died in October 2009. So obviously, the wounds of his wife death are still fresh…
Clarification and correction:
I misspoke on Mrs. Zimmer’s length of illness and treatment, for that I’m sorry and apologize… Her death was sudden and of natural causes…
ASHCAN.
October 21st, 2010
10:14 am
Don’t blame petrino,who want to coach a sorry bird flock of turdy birds anyway.
Unknown Hinson
October 21st, 2010
10:16 am
Great name Ashcan, do you live in San Fran?
RYAN
October 21st, 2010
10:22 am
I LOVE ALL YOU COWARDS OUT THERE WHO WANT TO BRING UP THIS MAN’S WIFE! LEAVE THAT SUBJECT ALONE AND BRING SOME TASTEFUL COMMENTS ON THIS MATTER! IF YOU HAVE A SUBJECTIVE COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE THEN LEAVE IT HERE! EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU WHO HAVE BROUGHT HIS WIFE’S CONDITION UP SHOULD BE BEATEN WITH A BAT! IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE A RESPECTFUL COMMENT YOU SHOULD LEAVE THIS MATTER ALONE! BE CLASSY ATLANTA AND IF YOU DON’T LIKE THIS MAN OR HATE HIM TRY TO ACT LIKE A MAN AND LEAVE ALL OF THAT BS OUT OF THE BLOGS! THE MAN HAS BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH AND DOESN’T NEED TO BE REMINDED OF HIS TRAGIC LOSS! HAVE SOME CLASS!
Falcon Jim
October 21st, 2010
10:32 am
I felt Petrino was a pud from the start when he came here. Remember the reports that he tried to treat the players like it was still college. He lost the pro players right off the bat. A really stupid move.
Falcon Jim
October 21st, 2010
10:32 am
RISE UP…………………FREE DUNTA !
RISE UP Sunday at the Dome and walk out during the first series. Have “Free Dunta” written on an undershirt, or your chest, and pull up your shirt and show it to the cameras.
Of course you can come back to your seats after you and your breatheren all RISE UP and walk out.
ParSeven
October 21st, 2010
10:36 am
Danny Boy- You’re right, he lost his wife VERY unexpectedly in the middle of last season. As a Cincy fan, I’ve loved what he’s done here, on and off the field. After reading his [unedited] comments this week, I absolutely love the guy.
Here’s to a good game this weekend!
JSS
October 21st, 2010
10:37 am
Anyone suggested Google map to RoswellHog yet?
JSS
October 21st, 2010
10:39 am
“Zimmer and his millions?” You must have NFL assistants pay scale confused with SEC coordinators…
ParSeven
October 21st, 2010
10:43 am
…or SEC players!
ctfalconsfan
October 21st, 2010
11:02 am
Good call Zim but honestly folks I’m glad BP quit as he wasn’t suited for the NFL. Blank would have tried to keep him for 3-4 years and we would now look like the rams or raiders organizations – still better than the lowerly panther kitties..
kevin
October 21st, 2010
11:09 am
@
Section 108
October 20th, 2010
6:45 pm
Brian Van Gorder never coached at Georgia Southern and came to the NFL after his last season as DC at UGA. Before you badmouth someone, you might want have a clue.
Petrino is a complete jerk–no question.
kevin
October 21st, 2010
11:23 am
Section 108,
I was totally wrong–feeling like a jacka$$. Van Gorder did go to GSU in 2006 as head coach. Apparently, he left after a bad season, but did not leave mid season.
Mike
October 21st, 2010
11:26 am
Pigtrino is a POS. I remember Ovie Mughelli was live on 680 when someone mentioned that Pigtrino had quit. He thought it was a joke. Who quits without telling your players?!
And to make it worse, they didn’t even wait until the next day to have the press conference in Arkansas. Very classy.
timthebrave
October 21st, 2010
11:30 am
Tell it like it is Zimmer
Tweets that mention Mike Zimmer calls Petrino a ‘coward’ over his 2007 exit | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
October 21st, 2010
11:34 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by V. Blue, steve copses. steve copses said: Mike Zimmer calls Petrino a ‘coward’ over his 2007 exit http://t.co/paFaoxu [...]
seven
October 21st, 2010
11:52 am
Yes, we all know that BP could have handled the situation better but he had lost his team early in the season and what about Arthur Blank’s lack of back ground checking Mike Vicks lifestyle. Afterall, he hired BP to hone MV’s skills and then the franchise player was gone. BP was screwed at that point having left a great situation in order to come to the NFL and the Falcons. The players hated BP, so what was a professional good bye going to do?
Cha Cha Cha Chicken
October 21st, 2010
12:01 pm
Uh, I meant Petrino.
Walker, Texas Ranger
October 21st, 2010
12:06 pm
Anybody that thinks Zimmer should have taken the high road is an idiot. He was at his office for another 3 weeks if Petrino wanted to clear the air. I just hate he had to stew on this for 3 years. He probably feels a lot better now. I know I do.
Joey M
October 21st, 2010
12:30 pm
Guarantee that Petrino doesn’t have the (guts) to issue a statement. Zimmer, you have earned my total respect. Thank you for this.
Craig Hughes
October 21st, 2010
12:34 pm
I’ve agreed since he pulled that stunt. He’s completely classless, and I hope Arkansas never wins another game with him as head coach. AND, at least the coaches got the word from Petrino himself. The players were NEVER spoken to by Petrino, probably for fear that they’d tear him to pieces, which would have been far too compassionate.
Pete
October 21st, 2010
1:37 pm
Petrino should be praised for the way he acted. He forever changed the Falcon franchise…………..TOTALLY for the better. His cowardly, gutless, classless departure so shocked Arthur Blank that Blank was forced to look at the franchise in a totally new, realistic way and start over, which led to Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, etc. and, as they say, the rest is history.
Thank you Mr. Quitrino, for the slime that you indeed are. You helped create one of the biggest and most successful “turn arounds” in NFL history.
Thank you !!!
RockyMtnFalcon
October 21st, 2010
2:55 pm
Zimmer is right, but Zimmer is going to get his butt handed to him this weekend.
Chuck Heitzman
October 21st, 2010
4:12 pm
It is good to verify what all falcons fans somewhat knew already. He is going to pay for that one that in a big way. Watching him during the Auburn game I am glad I do not work for him as he seems to whine a lot. I wonder what his wife thinks about him and the way he left Atlanta. Thank goodness for Mike Smith. Good luck Sunday and let us kick some Bengal butt!!!!
D.SCZERBA
October 21st, 2010
5:14 pm
I USED TO ROOT FOR TWO TEAMS: WHOEVER WAS PLAYING NOTRE DAME AND WHOEVER WAS PLAYING BYU…NOW I HAVE THREE…WHO EVER IS PLAYING ARKANSAS
frankieh
October 21st, 2010
5:29 pm
I agree with you Hunk Erdown..Zimmer gave his true feelings…
Cullowheedawg
October 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
I agree except that he also doesn’t belong coaching college. Also I don’t see him leaving Arkansas on his own as no one else wants him. Maybe Michigan will in a few years when they fire Rod? as it will be about time for P to move again.
Bilbo
October 21st, 2010
7:43 pm
He was truly a Prictrino…thanks to Mike Zimmer for telling the truth about this pathetic human. He only gives us clear and credible testimony to what we all felt about this POS.
Quagmire
October 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
Is that Clark Howard standing to Petrino’s right?
Blake
October 21st, 2010
10:25 pm
Maybe Zimmer should have Petrino over for a cookout and scoot some of that well done “Wooo, Pig, Sooie” at him!
Blake
October 21st, 2010
10:55 pm
Unfortunately, Petrino’s reaction to Zimmer’s statement will probably be a cowardly “that was three years ago”.That’s If he makes a statement at all.He needs to admit to the Falcons and the world that he was wrong and that he let a lot of people down.I don’t see how the man sleeps at night after walking out on so many people.I remember how mad Lawyer Milloy was when Petrino left.Petrino needs to walk Into a padded cell with Lawyer Milloy for about five minutes!
bhogs
October 22nd, 2010
10:04 am
from louisville
LOOOOVE Bobby P awesome coach. exit in Atlanta was not good but oh well we all make mistakes. Bobby p is the man
eddieflorida
October 22nd, 2010
10:15 am
I’m a Louisville graduate and fan, and of course, Petrino came from there to coach the Falcons. The whole time he was in Louisville he was always sneaking out of town interviewing for other positions. My take on him is not that he is a coward, but a flaming opportunist. Whatever will advance his own agenda, he’ll go for it, no matter who he leaves in the dust. And you Razorback fans, don’t think he’s loyal to you, either.
The only good thing he did for the Falcons was to bring Chris Redman back from selling insurance. I think Redman’s the bst backup in the NFL.
Wooo Pig Sooie!
October 22nd, 2010
12:33 pm
petrino sniper… OMG that kind of threat is completely inappropriate, I don’t care how much you despise the man! And plus Petrino isn’t at Arkansas U, that is in Jonesboro you idiot!
Arkansas fans are well aware of Petrino’s exit from the Falcons. And let’s face it, there isn’t a single college head coach that is actually loyal to their organization. Just like 99.9% of humans, they’re all just looking out for themselves. It would be stupid for coaches to be loyal to an organization that will can them the first loosing season they have.
He’s doing a fine job at AR and AR will try to keep him until until he pisses the wrong person off. And then they’ll pay him millions to leave. And if he leaves before then, well, that’s just part of the business. In the real world no one owes anything to anyone and you can either get over it or grow-up and move on.
Lesa
October 22nd, 2010
2:06 pm
Thanks, Coach Zimmer, for calling out PIGtrino. It’s nice to hear a public figure tell it like it is in these days of rampant political correctness.
John
October 22nd, 2010
8:36 pm
You guys are idiots. There is always two sides to every story. Petrino and Zimmer hated each other during the season and Petrino wanted Zimmer gone during the season because of all Zimmers complaining. However Arthur “The Hypocrite” Blank wouldn’t do it. So it’s no shock Zimmer would also be gutless and say something through the media.
And you morons are just as worse. Were all of you on the blogs calling Blank a POS too when he fired a Hall of Fame coach Dan Reeves with three games left in the season?? Where were you morons then? Reeves said it best on a radio talk show when asked about Petrino leaving he said Blank got a dose of his own medicine…freakin’ classic.
Yeah Petrino should have told his players in person before he left…but that’s the only thing he did wrong. He didn’t owe it to Zimmer or any other coach or owner to wait out the year. Zimmer and the others still got payed via their contract and he left after the year just like he would have anyway. What a crying little beeyotch. And you Falcon fans are too.
Just be glad your new GM came in and saved yalls arses. Otherwise the idiot combo of McKay and Blank would have yall in the cellar right now.
But your GM is money