Petrino: Atlanta to Arkansas Nonstop

On Monday, Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank praised Coach Bobby Petrino. “I feel real fortunate we have a terrific guy leading our team, our CEO, in Bobby Petrino,” Blank said. “I think he's proven to me he's a better head coach than we thought he was going to be, dealing with a set of cards we didn't see unfold this year, which probably never in the history of the NFL has anything like this happened. Bobby has done a wonderful job dealing with all of these issues. He's kept the players focused.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Petrino abruptly resigned. Six hours subsequent, Arkansas hired him. “Today was a day of decisions," Petrino said. “It was very difficult on one side and very easy on the other. ... The timing of it was what made it most difficult. It was easy to come to the University of Arkansas and become the head coach. I'm very excited to come back to the SEC conference which I consider the best football conference in the United States.”

Petrino’s tenure was tumultuous. On January 7, the Falcons hired him. On July 17, Michael Vick was indicted. On August 24, Vick was suspended indefinitely. On Monday evening, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Falcons 34-14. Upon Petrino’s resignation, Atlanta stood 3-10.

According to Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, Petrino hurt the Falcons. “He had ulterior motives,” Hall said. “He came to this great franchise for a stepping stool to where he wanted to be and that's a better college job. He came here, lied to a great man in Arthur Blank. He lied to Rich McKay .... it's Coach Petrino's loss.”

During his career, Petrino has amassed a 44-19 record. In Louisville, he racked a 41-9 resume. Conversely, Former Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt logged a 75-48 ledger. He garnered two SEC Western Division championships (0-2). He secured eight bowl appearances (2-5). Within the Southeastern Conference, Nutt amassed a 45-38 record.

Nutt and Petrino are similar. Both resigned. Within hours, both assumed new roles. The difference? Nutt was successful. Thus, future success is assumed. In Atlanta, Petrino was a disaster. He was overmatched. Ultimately, he may succeed. However, nothing is implicit.