VTTW Board Index

Has Petrino ever been known for a strong running game?  Has he ever been known for a defense?   Has he ever won consistently anywhere other than a Big East team prior to going to Arkansas?  Oh, but look at his record you say.  Okay.

2008   Arkansas   5–7   2–6   T–4th (West)         
2009   Arkansas   8–5   3–5   T-4th (West)   W Liberty      
2010   Arkansas   10–3   6–2   T–2nd (West)   L Sugar†   12   12
2011   Arkansas   11–2   6–2

First year...worse than Dooley's first.  Second year, about what Dooley can probably do this year.   I know that Dooley is in his third year, but we got devastated by injuries last year and I am factoring that in.

Who's to say Dooley is incapable of going 10-3 next year?  I know a lot of you don't believe it, but if our D turns around and becomes decent, we will have probably the best offense in the conference coming back.

Which is EXACTLY what Petrino is...a guy with explosive offenses, next to no run game, and a average to below average defenses.

Don't believe me?  According to this website:

http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/rankings?doWhat=archive&sportCode=MFB


Here are the CONFERENCE rankings of Arkansas in scoring D, which is all that really matters at the end of the day:

2011 - 8
2010 - 7
2009 - 9
2008 - 12

That's right.  He never even finished in the top half of the conference in defense.  Is that what we want at Tennessee?

Petrino is vastly OVERATED IMO, let alone what baggage he brings.  

I'd bet any amount, that if Dooley comes back next year, Sunseri can finish 7th or 8th in the conference in defensive scoring (14 teams now!) with another year with these players, and that UT can go 10-3 and meet the schedule of Petrino with a "missing injury year".  Any takers?

Oh yeah, meant to post rush stats.

In his best year at Arkansas, Petrino was 62nd in the country in rushing offense, in 2010.  Last year he was 81st.   :crazy:

With all the constant whining I read on here about our run game, which BTW, is 45th in the country - better than Petrino EVER did at Arkansas....THIS is the guy we want.  Yeah, like a hole in the head we do..... :frown:

As VTTW's resident Petrino supporter let me toss out the following.  :smile:

1) Petrino has taken two different programs to the BCS.
2) He took over an Arkansas program in arguably a worse spot than the one Dooley got at UT.
3) The SEC West Petrino faced was much tougher the East Dooley has dealt with before this year.
4) If memory serves the Hogs got hosed multiple times by the refs or they would have beaten UF in Gainesville his second year (Tebow's senior season). Help from lurking Gators would be appreciated.
5) Arkansas lost Knile Davis before the 2011 campaign to an ACL, hence the drop in rushing.
6) Arkansas beat K State solidly in their bowl game last year, and had a great shot to beat Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl in Petrino's third year.

I agree Petrino had lousy defenses his first few years, but he hired a new DC after last year so he appears to learn. He is not a star-gazer when it comes to recruiting, but his on-field product is amazing.

Petrino had big success as a head coach at Louisville and at Auburn as a coordinator.

If you want to discredit Petrino the argument is easy... stabbed his former boss at Auburn in the back, ran out on Atlanta, and really screwed up the Arkansas situation, but even if you take his coaching job at Arkansas completely out of the equation (and therefore the entire body of your post), the answer to your subject line is a resounding yes. Dooley had almost no success at La Tech and was never a coordinator at any level before.

On the football field? Yes

Louisville:  He led them to 11 wins in 2004 and 12 wins in 2006--only the second and third times that the Cardinals won as many as 11 games in a season.
Arkansas: Led them to back to back 10 wins seasons in 2010 and 2011, in the tough SECW.

As a person he sucks. But he wins on the field. I'd like to have him, albeit for only a few years. But he will stay a few years wherever he goes, he needs to build himself up again.

You're not the only one. I'd be fine with him IF we get rid of Dooley. We're impatient and want a quick fix, we want to win....in 2013... he is the guy. There are many reasons Vol fans will give for NOT hiring him, but I will give you the reason to hire him....he is a proven winner on the field.

...and we're not getting Gruden. His contract at ESPN is through 2016, and it has a HUGE buyout.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-10-17/jon-gruden-signs-five-year-extension-to-stay-on-mnf

Here's a big reason to hire him. He will win big. No one else is that guaranteed - even Gruden. Sure he (Petrino) may be gone in five years, but he'll kill it for that amount of time. Quite frankly I think anyone looking beyond five years for any coach is dreaming.

That's too long a horizon for which to plan. If you can get five years you take it.

Another issue worth noting is Arkansas (justifiably because of potential legal problems) canned him. He didn't bail on the Hogs so he'd be working on year 5 there.

Kind of a relief to me, actually.

And back to back 11-2 and 10-3 seasons...about what folks were saying was "barely acceptable" back in 2007.

(a) how stupid were some of our fans back then?   :frown:

(b) how the times do change!   :laugh:

And if you want to nitpick SOS, Petrino beat LSU in 2010.  But then again, Dooley almost did also.  :naughty:

I stand by saying I am not really that impressed by him.  Without a solid D, no way does he win the SEC, ever.  I will grant you that his new DC might have done better, but 52-0 at bammer makes me wonder, HC problems or no.

he would have to hire a solid DC obviously

Our program needs its mojo back. It's winning attitude. I still say we wait and see what happens this year, but if we fire CDD, IMO he would be a great hire, and he isn't bailing, he would need to build himself back up. Only worry would be that he'd break clauses in his contract which UT would no doubt have. Still....risk/reward. What do we want....a winner on the field, or a molder of men.

Has the buyout been published? It's not in the article.

Spurrier wasn't a NC contender before he hired Stoops so I agree completely with anyone who says Petrino or anyone else needs a big-time DC.

Hmm, maybe Chief can return. Steve Caldwell went to Arkansas to work for Petrino after Fulmer was jettisoned so he might come back to work with Chavis. Get Dan Brooks and the key defensive guys are back.  

I don't know. I have heard it's millions. ESPN loves him and wants to keep him

Big thing is that "includes a provision that he will stay out of coaching through the new contract." So, even if there is no buyout, he could probably be sued if he tries to back out to coach.

I'm sorry but Bobby Petrino is NOT a good hire for Tennessee. You cannot dismiss his personal issues. Everyone wants to win but throwing a hot mess of a man into this hot mess of a football program WILL NOT EQUAL WINNING. This guy was spending all his time text messaging his hired hoochie.  We need someone that will be watching game film and not trying to get laid (pardon me for being blunt).  Some of y'all have lost your ever loving minds.  :dunno:

OK, you said that the contract had a HUGE buyout so I thought you had seen a number. So we're saying it is possible that there is a buyout... I'm sure that there is a buyout and that's what the provision entails.

Let me toss this out regarding Petrino and character issues. As always, these are my views only. I'm a Christian and believe all people are called to a certain standard of behavior (which I repeatedly fall far short of - hence the need to be forgiven and changed).

That having been said I'm in constant contact with those who have different views of right and wrong (including many who consider themselves Christians but seem to live as those who make no such claims). Many of these folks are good friends. Some are co-workers.

Of the second group many do terrific work. Were I to go elsewhere I'd try to hire them. Why? They do really good work. That's what I want from UT's football coach. Really good work.

Furthermore, I'm not sure Petrino is any more of a scoundrel than some other options. Look, I'd love to have a great guy who is a great example mentoring the players, but we're hiring a coach.

Feel free to delete this if it wandered too far into religious territory.

Agree, I wanna win but Petrino?!  I can't believe it's even being discussed.

I want someone who will win and not run afoul of the NCAA.  :smile:

Out of curiosity, are there any against Petrino being hired who doubt he would win big?

Also, if you want someone who is just a good guy I'd stick with Dooley. Really. I like the guy. And hey, he could still get to 8-4, however improbable that may be.

His name is going to come up if there's a search. I guarantee it.

No doubt, I really meant I can't believe some fans want him. 

I wasn't put on earth to judge. I want UT football to win...in2013. I don't care who my coach is sleeping with. Yes I am aware he has a checkered past. Risk and reward.

 Do you have a name in mind? I mean if you want CDD gone, I assume you want a big name? Who do you have in mind?

Lynnie, I am shocked that you wouldn't want him ... just shocked  :laugh:

Haven't spent much time or effort thinking of who I want.  It's Harts job, not mine.  Just fix it.  You think just because I want a guy who isn't going to embarrass the university, I'm "judging"?  Lol, please.  Give me a break.

For the love of God, we're not "judging" Petrino because of his "personal issues" (which actually ceased to be "personal" once he hired her).  It's a pattern of behavior.  He has screwed over every organization he's ever worked for.  Without exception.  What makes you people think that UT would be any different? 

And I don't want to hear that he's never been in NCAA trouble.  Because that's just a matter of time.  If he has no problem deceiving his bosses, his friends, his wife, and his kids, then I GUARANTEE he doesn't think twice about skirting compliance bylaws. 

I didn't say you were judging. I have no clue or don't care about it. I'm telling you how I feel about Petrino. What type of person he is has no effect on me, if he can coach the football team to win

Ok, I speak for myself, not anyone else...hope that is clear.

Now... to answer your question. I think he could be different at UT because he is damaged goods as a person, and has to build his credibility back up, so he isn't going to be dumping us for anyone that quickly. HE can, however, coach. He kicked ass at Louisville and Arkansas, in a short time...on the field. That really can't be debated. Is he a risk? I think everyone knows he is. But if we are going to fire CDD after three seasons, who out there is a big name we can hire that will immediately make us contenders in 2013? Petrino will, and he will do it for less. I am willing to hear other names you think are big names that we can definitely get.

As for NCAA trouble, I don't know. Sounds like the dude has a thing for coeds.... if he was cheating I'd think he would have better recruiting classes.

I'll reiterate, I have a different way of looking at this - I want the guy who can get us back, fast. We're not willing to be patient, so go out and get the guy who will get it done, quickly. I am not concerned about who he is shacking up with. I understand your concern, and I realize that a case to not hire him is easy to make. But I think he is higher risk, higher reward. I think the risk can be mitigated.




I

Let me be clear on the original topic - I am not really saying Dooley is comparable to Petrino - not yet.   :laugh:

But I think the resemblence in the character of their teams...great pass offense, mediocre to bad in every other aspect - is striking, and I find Petrino's success in the SEC over-rated.

You say "he went 6-2 for two consecutive years in the West".

I say "he never even made the SECCG, which actually was not good enough for many of our fans in 2007, let alone win the dam thing".

So we aspire to maybe get back to about where we were in 2007, if he even works out at UT, which is debatable, and allowing a couple of years for him to get back up to speed. For which we have to accept character issues similar to those of Kiffin.

Bleah.   :hurl:

I will allow that they might have had a killer season this year.  Maybe.

Here's a hypothetical:  If Lane Kiffin were fired by USC after this season, would you be in favor of hiring him back?  I'd say 95% of our fanbase would say no.  Yet a big percentage of those same folks would welcome Petrino with open arms.  The only difference between Kiffin and Petrino is that Kiffin screwed US.  Petrino has pulled the same shizzle at 3 different schools and one NFL organization.  At some point, his transgressions cease to be lapses in judgement, and point to his character.  Hiring him isn't a "risk".  It's a guarantee- and not in a good way.  Why would a program who has been down this road recently want to re-trace those steps?

Some other options I can name would be Mike Riley and Gary Patterson.  And while I'm not as high on Charlie Strong as a lot of people, we could certainly do worse.  Ditto for Gruden.

Out of those, I think we could possibly get Strong. I don't call him a big name hire.

I don't think Kiffin has done anything on the field remotely like Petrino has.

He's in the middle of a one-loss season at USC, and some (not me) think SoCal still has a shot at the MNC.

So this season Kiffin probably will equal anything that Petrino did at Arkansas (11-2 or 10-3), and possibly exceed it this season, all while on probation the last two years.

Of course, it's really easy to recruit to USC, much easier than Arkansas, and clearly the schedule is also easier, but wins are wins and losses are losses.

I do understand where you're coming from with Petrino, but definitely think we can do better.