[EmpireWF]

ESPN is reporting it, no link just yet. The Louisville Cardinal coach is leaving NCAA to try to correct the Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN is now reporting he signed a 5-year, $24 million deal with the Falcons.

Thoughts.

[simple simon]

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino has accepted a five-year, $24 million offer from the Atlanta Falcons to become their new coach, according to a Louisville source.

The Cardinals have a previously scheduled 9 p.m. ET team meeting at which Petrino will tell his players, the source said. ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported that an NFL source also confirmed the hiring.

ESPN.com - NFL - Sources: Falcons hire Petrino to be new head coach

good choice i guess

hope he gets a new QB........they are going no where with Vick under center

[kenman923]

I have it right here:

ESPN.com - NFL - Sources: Falcons hire Petrino to be new head coach

[cwstech]

I so didn't expect this. Man. I thought he would have stayed in the college ranks. Very interesting move.

[Lefty Noob]

Okay, now that I have the distaste for Petrino bailing on the Cardinals out of my mouth... he's a good coach. I hate that he left Louisville but I think he will do well with the Falcons. I can't see him wanting Vick; with Schaub and possibly if he drafts Brohm, I could see Atlanta and Petrino shop Vick.

[cwstech]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Okay, now that I have the distaste for Petrino bailing on the Cardinals out of my mouth... he's a good coach. I hate that he left Louisville but I think he will do well with the Falcons. I can't see him wanting Vick; with Schaub and possibly if he drafts Brohm, I could see Atlanta and Petrino shop Vick.

I've been pro Schaub for years. Being a fan of an acc team, I was able to see him play quite a bit during his college years and he was great. And in the times he has filled in for Vick, he has proven he is a good QB.

[Cincyreds14]

Yeah he traded his team out. And he is one of the biggest liars i have met.

[Atlanta Falcons News]

Up to the minute news about the Atlanta Falcons from GoTeamsGo. We'll find the latest Atlanta Falcons news so you can chat about here.

New Falcons Coach Faces Big Challenges
The Casper Star Tribune, WY - 5 hours ago
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Bobby Petrino turned basketball-crazy Louisville into a national college football power in four years. Perhaps his next challenge with the Atlanta Falcons may not seem so imposing.

Then again, the Falcons have never managed back-to-back winning seasons in their 41 years.

Petrino was hired Sunday to take over for Jim Mora Jr., who was 26-22 in three seasons. Mora missed the playoffs his last two seasons after his 11-5 debut in 2004, when the Falcons advanced to the NFC championship game.

Mora's firing shows the expectations of owner Arthur Blank are lofty, at least by Atlanta's usual standards. Midway through the past season, Blank warned that a .500 finish wouldn't be satisfactory.

The expectations don't seem to scare Petrino.

"One thing we have been able to do as a coaching staff is get things turned around in a short period of time," he said Monday.

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 06:41:00 GMT

Post your comments about this story here.

[Lefty Noob]

So there you go, Bobby Petrino. Your mission to change the culture in Atlanta, to have back-to-back winning seasons, to do better than 26-22 and consistantly finish over .500, to upgrade the o-line and the WR corps, and to decide whether or not you can win with the one-time face of the franchise, Michael Vick, who may or may not be one of the reasons this team has struggled to win consistantly. Good luck.