Petrino Makes Good Impression On Atlanta Prospects
By Michael Carvell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/31/08
Former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino proved he can still make a good impression in the Atlanta area.
Petrino, now coach at Arkansas, spent extensive time over the past two weeks recruiting the top two prospects from Chattahoochee High School, defensive end Justin Smith and safety Elton Ford.
“My impression of [Petrino] was very high. I was just really impressed with how honest he was with the kids,” Chattahoochee coach Terry Crowder said. “I would have to say he is now one of my favorite head coaches I’ve ever met. I just can’t say enough good things.”
Did the subject of the Falcons come up? “No, we never talked about it at all,” Crowder said.
When Petrino showed up at the Alpharetta school last week, he created a stir with his celebrity status among students and faculty. Petrino was able to convince Ford to flip-flop from N.C. State to the Razorbacks, with Ford revealing the switch after an official visit to Arkansas last weekend.
“I just got a good vibe about Coach Petrino from the start: He is straight up and honest about everything,” Ford said.
“I know all about what happened with him and the Falcons, but that didn’t have any influence on me. I guess he just had to do what was best for him. I know I’m doing what is best for me, and that’s to play for [Petrino] at Arkansas. He just wins wherever he goes.”
Petrino perhaps made his best impression with his reaction to Smith breaking the commitment he made to Arkansas last summer in order to follow coach Houston Nutt to Ole Miss. Nutt resigned in November and was hired by the Rebels in December.
Said Crowder: “Coach Petrino understood and didn’t give Justin [any guilt trips]. He wants players at Arkansas that want to be Arkansas Razorbacks, so he was fine with everything.”
The Following User High Fived You to geechee For This Good Post:
I've heard nothing but very good things from the folks I know on The Hill that have met Petrino. Good to see the flak slacking and some articles like this popping up.
People can say/think what they want, that's their prerogative, but it's Players that play for the coach, and their impressions and experiences are what truly matter. I truly believe that, which is one reason I still hope Nutt does great at Ole Miss... You'd be hard pressed to find someone that played for him that won't speak highly.
People can say/think what they want, that's their prerogative, but it's Players that play for the coach, and their impressions and experiences are what truly matter. I truly believe that, which is one reason I still hope Nutt does great at Ole Miss... You'd be hard pressed to find someone that played for him that won't speak highly.
Oh rrrreeeallly? Because I'm pretty sure with a short drive up to Louisville, I could find a locker room full of players lacking a good opinion of Petrino.
Quote:
it's Players that play for the coach, and their impressions and experiences are what truly matter.
In which case you should be very concerned, because every one of the Falcons players hates him.
I don't all the way blame Petrino for leaving, though I really didn't like the way he did it. But its nice to see people thinking for themselves instead of just listening to what a bunch of monkeys in the media say
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The Following User High Fived You to M2J For This Good Post:
The Falcons are a joke of an organization. Since Petrino left, they have been turned down by many others. Petrino left when he did because he had no choice. Arkansas was not going to wait until the NFL season was over to name a coach and that idiot of an owner "Blank" would not allow Petrino to negotiate with Arkansas prior to the season ending. Petrino is doing OK in recruiting an is keeping most all of the prior commits solid along with landing Super QB Ryan Mallett. I will be eager to see what he can do with a whole year to recruit. I liked Nutt and didnt want him to get run off but Petrino was a home run hire for UA. I am suprised people really care about the situation. I mean, I could care less about why Saban left Miami. I guess I just kind of acccept that coaches tell the media what they want to hear and then do whats best for themselves. Doesnt bother me.
At some point every organization goes through crappy periods. Arkansas' has come to a close hopefully. Remember when the Pats were a laughing stock? I do.
Remember when Georgia basketball was a laughing stock? You should because that was yesterday, and this morning.
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Bustin' chops
Props to:Sabanocchio If y'all are the number one offense in the SEC at the end of this season, I'll kiss your ass - geechee
Petrino Makes Good Impression On Atlanta Prospects
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The Braves won 14 straight division titles, something that is unmatched in any major sports history. That qualifies as a joke of an organization? 