Arthur Blank Disappointed, Not Surprised, He Never Heard From Bobby Petrino

For all the things that went wrong with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007, the biggest stunner may have been the way head coach Bobby Petrino simply walked out the door one Tuesday morning and was doing the famous "pig sooey" cheer at the Arkansas head coach by Tuesday night.

Petrino never seemed to feel the least bit bothered by leaving the Falcons in the lurch in the middle of the season, and owner Arthur Blank says to this day, Petrino hasn't said a thing to him about it, no apology, no explanation, nothing. And how does that make him feel? He tells Peter King:

"I'm not surprised. But I am disappointed.''

I completely understand why Blank is disappointed, but the lack of surprise is a reminder that Blank really should have seen this coming. Everyone who knows anything about the football coaching business knows that Petrino will leave any job at any time if he thinks there's a better job out there for him. That Blank hired Petrino despite that well-earned reputation is his own fault. Just as it will be Arkansas' own fault if Petrino bolts, which he unquestionably will do if a better program comes calling.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-28-2008 @ 11:16AM

Charles B. Eaves said...

i would have left that disorganized bunch of hoodlums to.sooner than he did.

4-28-2008 @ 11:53AM

Mike Norwood said...

Awe, poor Arthur Blank. Football is a business first and foremost. If Petrino didn't produce in one or two years he would have been fired and no one would bat an eye. The team would have found someone who would produce better on the field. So, Petrino did what a responsible person should do. Take care of yourself. Did he react responsibly? No. Because he didn't act with maturity everyone feels bad for the team. He foresaw the problems inherent with the team and didn't want to try and fix them. And in all honesty how could he, he had no control over draft or personnel matters. And the problems already there were not of his design. Good riddence to bad rubbish on both sides and grow up and move on. I like the new coach for Atlanta. Good luck to all involved and hurry September.