NEW ORLEANS - Bobby and Paul Petrino’s paths crossed briefly Monday at the Superdome, as the new opportunities for both came upon their unofficial starting points.
Bobby Petrino’s 30 minutes in front of a microphone were spent in front of some of the largest crowds at Monday’s Sun Belt Conference media day gathering, as he discussed his return to football as Western Kentucky’s coach after a one-year hiatus.
“I’m enjoying coaching as much as I ever had,” he said.
Paul Petrino’s turn came in the same chair just a couple of hours later, as he talked about his first chance as a head coach at Idaho, and the few minutes the two got to spend earlier Monday morning.
“I’ve worked my whole life to be a head coach,” Paul Petrino said.
The brothers landed in New Orleans around the same time Sunday, drove to the Superdome together Monday and afterward were headed in different directions, Bobby trying to revive a coaching career that looked to be in jeopardy not long ago and Paul trying to elevate his.
Both were coaching at Arkansas less than 18 months ago. Bobby Petrino’s crash while riding a motorcycle with a female athletic department employee ultimately led to his firing in April 2012. Bobby Petrino said Monday he spent last year watching film of college and NFL games and spending time with his family in Montana. He was hired by Western Kentucky in December and spent Monday repeatedly discussing how good of a “fit” he’s found in Bowling Green, Ky.
“It’s been great,” he said. “I’m excited about our football team. I see a football team where the players are real focused and concentrated on getting better individually, really trying to understand their technique and fundamentals.”
After enduring a 4-8 season as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator last year, Paul Petrino was hired by Idaho a week before Bobby endedup at Western Kentucky. His first job as a head coach will be spent trying to turn around a program that has won only three games over the past two seasons. Idaho will play this year as an independent before joining the Sun Belt in 2014.
“He’s been waiting for this for a long time,” Bobby said. “He’ll get in there and really do an excellent job.”
Expectations are higher for Bobby Petrino at Western Kentucky, based on his success at Arkansas. The Razorbacks won 34 games in his four seasons, including 21 over the final two, while appearing the Sugar Bowl and winning the Cotton Bowl.
Speaking from inside the same building in which Arkansas lost to Ohio State in the 2011 Sugar Bowl, Petrino was asked if he had any memories of that game.
“Scoop and score,” he said with a laugh, referencing a blocked punt in the fourth quarter of the 31-26 loss in which Julian Horton fell on the ball blocked by Colton Miles-Nash rather than picking it up and running toward the end zone.
His goal now is to get Western Kentucky to heights the school has never reached. The Hilltoppers reached their first bowl last year and will move to Conference USA next July.
Western Kentucky Athletic Director Todd Stewart said he’s detected personal changes made by Petrino, some of which were suggested. He’s attended Western Kentucky athletic events - he attended the Sun Belt basketball tournament in March in Hot Springs - he’s visible around town and that has helped him gain acceptance by fans and others.
“He’s been very present in our community. He’s not a recluse,” Stewart said. “I think he’s learned a lot in the year that he was away.”
Paul Petrino faces more of a challenge, taking over an Idaho program that has had one winning season since 2000. The Vandals have won nine games since Robb Akey led them to the Humanitarian Bowl in 2009.
Idaho has received a football-only inviation to the Sun Belt beginning in 2014. The Vandals were left without an affiliation when the Western Athletic Conference dropped football after last season.
But Paul Petrino still considers himself in a good spot, especially after what happened during his final 1½ years at Arkansas.
“When times are a little tough, you just put your head down and work your butt off,” he said. “It was a tough year. It was a tough situation for everybody, but it worked out great for me for where I’m at now.”
Sports, Pages 15 on 07/16/2013