Petrino: Criticism not heard

BY TOM MURPHY

Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said Tuesday he paid virtually no attention to the firestorm of criticism he started nationally last December when he left the Atlanta Falcons with three games remaining in the season.

But he has heard about it from other parties.

"I probably still am not [aware of the intensity of the criticism ],"Petrino said in a rare sit-down interview Tuesday with print reporters. "I didn't watch it. I didn't pay attention to it.

"Now my wife [Becky ] has made some comments to me, you know, and other people have said, when I've been at the Razorback functions or whatever - 'We don't care what ESPN says' - but to be honest with you, I didn't listen to it or hear any of it."

ESPN and other national media had a series of analysts voice sharp criticism of Petrino's decision to take the Arkansas job the day after the Falcons lost 34-14 at the Georgia Dome against New Orleans on Monday Night Football.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he was "blindsided"by Petrino's in-season departure, even though Petrino had voiced concerns about wanting to return to the college game, and several Falcons players lambasted Petrino, calling him a quitter, among other things.

Asked if he was comfortable with his public image, Petrino asked: "What is it ?"

"I know this, that I've always been able to look in the mirror and say that I work as hard as I can for the game of football and do everything I think I can possibly do to help young men grow and get better,"Petrino said. "I feel comfortable with how much energy and how much effort I've put into my career."

Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long said last week it was unfair to label Petrino a job hopper, and that he had a thorough understanding of Petrino's rationale for leaving Louisville and the Falcons.

"Look at me as an AD, I'm on my 10 th school,"Long said. "I went to three schools in a short period of time, trying to coach football. It's not unusual.

"I can't get into Bobby's reasons for leaving Louisville, but I think it's fair to say that Louisville knew he had a desire to coach in professional football.... I'm not going to go in depth into the situation with the Falcons, but there were a lot of things in the Falcons' situation that when you understand them and know them, you understand his reason for leaving the Falcons after a short period of time."

Petrino is halfway through his first spring drills with the Razorbacks, saying all the right things about being back in college football in general and at Arkansas in particular.

"The facilities we have here and the commitment from the administration and the fans, it's a great job,"Petrino said. "Since I've been here, it's been even more exciting as I travel around on the recruiting roads and Razorback clubs to see the support of the entire state."