Bobby Petrino finds a school willing to sell its soul
Here's a screengrab from Western Kentucky's website: WKUsports.com. I think they forgot a few things.
(UPDATED: 6:15 p.m.)
According to Western Kentucky’s mission statement — which I suddenly found reason to Google — the university “prepares students to be productive, engaged, and socially responsible citizen leaders of a global society.”
So we’re left to wonder: Will Western Kentucky ask Bobby Petrino be teach a course in social responsibility, or will he be too busy being productively engaged with an athletic department underling?
Petrino is back in coaching. That was inevitable. On one hand, the man has so much personal and professional baggage that he needs a storage unit. But because he can coach college football, it figured to be a short time before one school’s administration declared, “To hell with morals and scruples! This is college football!”
Western Kentucky stepped up to the soul-selling window. This came after even three schools in the SEC — the conference that invented soul-selling — passed on him. Western Kentucky went where Auburn, Tennessee and Kentucky wouldn’t.
For some reason, WKU officials chose not use this photo.
Somewhere in Bowling Green, WKU president Gary A. Ransdell and athletic director Todd Stewart are refining and rehearsing their, “Everybody deserves a second chance” soundbites in a mirror.
It is one thing for a professional sports team to compromise their principles for the sake of victories, ticket sales and increased revenue streams. But is there any semblance of a value system left in college athletics? Shouldn’t there be some weight given to the concept of molding and leading young man on a college campus, or did that go out with the last Knute Rockne speech?
Think of how Petrino’s last two coaching jobs with the Falcons and Arkansas ended. In grease fires. How can Western Kentucky or any university justify hiring somebody who has proven at every level to be so morally bankrupt?
Stewart must have been struggling for material, because he actually said at Monday’s news conference: “What it comes down to is he made a big mistake. But this is the the United States of America, and we’re a country of second chances.” (Uh, second?)
I’m thinking of “Otter” from the scene in Animal House when the Delta House fraternity has to appear before Faber College administrators: “We’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America!”
Petrino, of course, hasn’t made one mistake. He has made several lifetimes’ worth. He is deeply flawed and, frankly, a bad person.
Forget cheating on his wife. That’s between him, his wife and his God. The fact he hired his mistress (a former Arkansas volleyball player) at Arkansas, gave her $20,000 and put her on the university payroll exposed a public university to potential sexual harassment lawsuits.
He was considered so “hot” (in a bad way) that no major program would hire him. So he took a job in the Sun Belt. Welcome to humility.
In committing his egregious violation of employment law (and common sense), he also lied to his superiors about circumstances surrounding the motorcycle accident that led to his firing, admitting to his “inappropriate relationship” with Jessica Dorrell only after she was referenced in the police report (two days later).
He quit on the Falcons in the middle of the season, as cowardly an act as a coach can commit. He didn’t tell players. He left a note in their locker. The day after telling owner Arthur Blank he was committed to the team — prompting Blank to give two national TV interviews on the topic and look foolish — Petrino was in Fayetteville at a midnight news conference doing Pig Sooey chants.
While at Louisville, Petrino secretly met with Auburn representatives in late 2003, even with the season still going and Auburn having a coach (Tommy Tuberville — who, by the way, gave Petrino a job in 2002. There’s your loyalty.). He also interviewed with LSU in 2004 just five days after signing a contract extension, and bolted for the Falcons five months after signing a new 10-year deal
Petrino said he has spent the last eight months trying to repair the damage he’s done to his marriage and family. He also said, “One thing I’ve learned from this is I can be even more of an influence on a young man’s life than just on the football field.”
And that’s the problem.
By Jeff Schultz
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355 comments Add your comment
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:10 am
Looks like the ‘Barn boy, Donnan is off from his shift at Waffle House……
Phil from Athens
December 11th, 2012
9:11 am
Gilligan
My life is just fine. UGA loses another SEC Championship game, the Falcons are proven to be the most overrated NFL team out there and Bama is off to claim another championship.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:12 am
“Looks like the ‘Barn boy, Donnan is off from his shift at Waffle House…
Oh look, DawgInLex is back under a different name. She ain’t so clever.
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:12 am
Exactly what is your excuse for looking stupid, Donnan? Inbreeding? Overall lack of cognitive ability? Cow college homer with blinders?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:13 am
Joey (original)
These are the same folks who went after Clinton but said nothing about Gingrich when he cheated on two of his ex wives.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:14 am
“Exactly what is your excuse for looking stupid, Donnan? Inbreeding? Overall lack of cognitive ability? Cow college homer with blinders?”
Oh look, DawgInLex googled “dictionary” and found some big boy words to use. I guess that GED finally paid off for her.
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:15 am
Wrong again, ‘Barn boy. There are multiple people who put you in your place. Keep on with your wishful thinking….How’s that backside feel after 38-0 and 49-0? Trooper not on campus….dumpster fire is an understatement.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:15 am
BTW, most, if not all, of the UGA fans who blog on the AJC never even graduated nor were excepted at UGA. Funny how that happens.
George
December 11th, 2012
9:15 am
What is this Romnessia the dam man did not kill anyone WOW what in the hell did he do to you Coaches have done much worst and is still coaching.
TAAC
December 11th, 2012
9:17 am
My wish would receive compensation only if he is honest to his commitment
toepro
December 11th, 2012
9:18 am
I see quite a few wonderful “christians” are casting stones!
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:18 am
‘Barn boy,
To highlight the level of your imcompetence………Clinton lied under oath about a sexual relationship. Gingrich was never subponead and questioned about it under oath. Make sense? Thanks for playing and log back on when the lobotomy is complete.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:18 am
“Wrong again, ‘Barn boy.”
Not sure what a “barn boy” is. Must be some kind of special ed humor you picked up.
“There are multiple people who put you in your place. ”
You must be referring to your multiple handles that you use.
“How’s that backside feel after 38-0 and 49-0? ”
Awe, GFY or as she usually calls herself “DawgInLex” is upset. She’s angry because the DWAGS are incapable of winning big games. NEXT YEAR!!!!!!
“Trooper not on campus….dumpster fire is an understatement.
Right, and Cam Newton will lose the Heisman and Auburn will be stripped of its championship trophy. Uh huh. How many times have we all heard this over the last two years?
Too bad UGA isn’t a relevant team in the SEC. The SEC West is the only side that can win the championship. It’d be nice if Florida wasn’t the only SEC East team capable of winning the title. But hey, you still have 1980.
Dr. Phill
December 11th, 2012
9:20 am
WKU is a nice school in a beautiful part of the state. Taggart was a great fit there where he was successful. I thought he might go to UK or another SEC team. Petrino will be rehabilitated at WKU and then fly to the SEC–maybe Alabama after Saban moves on.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:20 am
“Clinton lied under oath about a sexual relationship. Gingrich was never subponead and questioned about it under oath. ”
Oh you want to talk about big boy stuff now? OK, Gingrich goes after Clinton for cheating on his wife and lying to the country. All while Gingrich was cheating on his wife but hey, you don’t like facts do you?
Make sense?
GT Dude
December 11th, 2012
9:20 am
Within three years Petrino will be head coach at a PAC12 school.
Time and Distance will heal all past sins
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:21 am
Oh do tell ‘Barn boy Donnan, where oh where did you matriculate? We all could use a good laugh to get the day started?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:21 am
UGA
2-3 in the SEC Championship game.
OUCH!!!!!!!!
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:22 am
GFY is an angry little girl. Poor baby.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:24 am
“where oh where did you matriculate?
U of Florida.
And you?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:24 am
“Within three years Petrino will be head coach at a PAC12 school.
He’ll be at USC in no time. They’re getting sick of Kiffin and now that they’re off of probation they’ll be looking for a good offensive mind.
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:26 am
Lying under oath = perjury
Clinton only second US president impeached
Go put your diaper back on….I’ve got something more important to do than constantly educate you, ‘Barn boy.
GFY
December 11th, 2012
9:29 am
No college for me…….that is why I like to call other people names when my point of view will not support itself? Know what I mean, ‘Barn boy? Of course you do.
Bill
December 11th, 2012
9:32 am
He will fit in well in that part of the country. A soulless and self-adsorbed populace across Western KY will take to him like johns to hookers in between the abusive fixes of their oxys and roxies.
t
December 11th, 2012
9:32 am
Last time I checked, while cheating on your spouse is a terrible moral mistake, it’s not illegal. Petrino doesn’t have a checkered past with the NCAA and is a proven winner. You can question his character but if the goal is to win football games within NCAA guidelines then there is nothing wrong with this hire. No reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to coach. Heck, we had a sitting President cheat on his wife and continue to serve as President!
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:33 am
“Lying under oath = perjury
Clinton only second US president impeached”
Yep, and Gingrich is still a hypocrite as are you.
“Go put your diaper back on….I’ve got something more important to do than constantly educate you, ‘Barn boy.”
Poor whittle girl. Did the big boy talk hurt your whittle feewings?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:33 am
“No college for me”
Well yeah, I knew that when you first posted comments on this blog. It doesn’t take a rocket engineer to figure out that you have the IQ of a carrot.
Tdawgmoney
December 11th, 2012
9:35 am
Why is it that when Saban jumps around like “Larry Brown of the NBA”, and leaves places high and dry it’s ok…..but when Petrino does the same it is shameful. No doubt CBP has his moral baggage, but I find it interesting that the 2 harshest critics of Petrino in the Atlanta sports media market…..both had their first marriages ended because they cheated on their wives. Long time ago we called that a double standard.
MC 5150
December 11th, 2012
9:36 am
I heard that he introduced himself to his players by leaving a note on their lockers.
Joey (original)
December 11th, 2012
9:39 am
Speaking of a subject that we all know and love, check out a column that will make Bama fans all over, lose their breakfasts:
“You have to figure he’ll only be there one year, two at the most…”
**************************************
Oh, you know it, and WKU knows it. But guess how many sell-outs they will have in those two seasons?
http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/nick_saban_considering_a_return_to_the_nfl/12405886?linksrc=home_x_rg_head_12405886
Joey (original)
December 11th, 2012
9:40 am
Don’t where the stuff in the middle of my post (9:39) came from, but the link turned out right
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:40 am
“Why is it that when Saban jumps around
LSU knew that Saban would be going to the NFL. He didn’t up and “leave” like you suggest. Yes, he did lie to the Dolphins but at least he didn’t do what Petrino did to the Falcons.
beebee
December 11th, 2012
9:42 am
jeff and everybody, are you really so much holier than petrino?
why cast so much dark judgment? take a look in the mirror.
let he/she who is without sin write the next blog post.
Joey (original)
December 11th, 2012
9:43 am
Tdawgmoney, come on, you aren’t gonna name those particular sports media guys?
Frances Connor
December 11th, 2012
9:52 am
Jeff, thanks for writing this very honest piece. As a loyal Auburn fan, I am so thrilled he didn’t end up with us! May WKU have this loser/liar/scum and all the Karma he brings with him. At least the SEC won’t have to deal with him any more.
Tucker
December 11th, 2012
9:55 am
Happily Chipper is a favorite of the columnist and avoids all the indignation.
Heady
December 11th, 2012
9:58 am
People crucified Mike Vick and said he will never play football again. Vick put his past behind him and so will Petrino.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 11th, 2012
9:59 am
“Vick put his past behind him and so will Petrino.”
Vick isn’t exactly doing much right now.
Joey (original)
December 11th, 2012
10:04 am
Tucker, Chipper was smart enough to keep his Playmate-turned-Buck Commander, off the Harley til the Big-D was final.
Clusters gonna be jealous of that – Playmate-turned-Buck Commander.
George P. Burdell
December 11th, 2012
10:13 am
What is the over/under on how long it takes for the grass to start looking greener and Petrino bolts for Eastern Kentucky? I’m thinking he would be willing to coach anywhere that has a women’s volleyball team.
Tide Rising
December 11th, 2012
10:13 am
It will be real interesting to see how this plays out. Will he coach at WKU for 10 years and retire? Or will he coach 3-4 years and then get rehired again by a bcs conference team after the stink has worn off him somewhat? Or will he eventually end up leaving WKU in yet another grease fire like the Falcons or the Razorbacks. It’ll be interesting.
mgdawg
December 11th, 2012
10:15 am
For those of you confused, lets run down his resume of sleeze-baginess.
While Tubberville was still head coach of auburn, he interviewed with boosters at auburn to replace him. Tubberville gave him a job earlier in his career.
Second chance, he went to the falcons and left in the middle of the season without telling anyone.
Third chance, at arkansas he gave his mistress a job.
Fourth chance, the AD gave him an opportunity to come clean and he lied to the AD, that’s why he got fired.
So WKU is his fifth chance, not his second. How many people want to bet if he does good for a couple of seasons he will take another job without letting anybody know?
Lonnie
December 11th, 2012
10:23 am
GTBob. For the first time we agree on something! The hypocrisy of college athletics is amazing. I have no problem with an institution hiring Bobby Petrino or Tubberville moving on but it is ironic that if a student athlete sees a better opportunity to move on they are punished by losing a year of eligibility. Also when A. J. Sold his jersey and was punished by missing 4 games. Meanwhile the UGA bookstore had 32 different styles of his jersey!!!!!! The industry is making money hand over foot and that dictates coaches salaries and even game times and days! This is with no thought for the student athlete!
Nathan W
December 11th, 2012
10:26 am
That Western Kentucky “sold its soul” with the Petrino hire is obvious. Thinking about how disappointed Schultz and his fellow CFB sportwriters are that they couldn’t come down on a bigger name school is HILARIOUS!
Ed Diddle
December 11th, 2012
10:28 am
Does anyone sense Jeff seems like a “jilted girfriend” in this article?
schmeckdawg
December 11th, 2012
10:37 am
GREAT ARTICLE Jeff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James
December 11th, 2012
10:44 am
Oh Good Lord Bradley. Are you serious?
MIke
December 11th, 2012
10:44 am
Jeff,
I often find myself agreeing with you on most of your columns. I really feel you are WAY off base with this one. We have all made mistakes and I for one am glad Bobby got an opportunity to get back and do what he loves to do. Let’s grow up and give the man another chance. Do unto others?
RunninWithTheDawgs
December 11th, 2012
10:47 am
I hated what Bobby did to the Falcons. He was in over his head and he knew it, but to just sneak away without addressing the owner or the players and coaching staff is totally inexcusable and showed cowardace on his part. As for him being canned at Ark. I say good payback. That being said I’m happy for him. Maybe he’s learned something about growing up and being responsible. Time will tell. GO DAWGS !
JustMe
December 11th, 2012
10:47 am
This is nothing….look at Colquitt County. They hired Rush Propst, who did so much more worse. And they still have him.