Wow. That was interesting, unexpected, frustrating and downright bizarre.
It seemed like the day after Christmas was going to be a pretty quiet one. Packing for Memphis. Spending a little more time with my wife. Enjoying one last night of free time at home before spending the next week on the road at the Liberty Bowl.
Then Urban Meyer goes and resigns.
Holiday break over.
The obvious question is one I’ve been trying to get answered the past few hours. Is Bobby Petrino truly on Florida AD Jeremy Foley’s initial list of candidates to replace Meyer? At this point, it’s hard to tell. I’ve had no success getting any word from Petrino or anyone that knows what might be going on behind the scenes as to how legitimate this might become as the search for Florida’s new coach begins. But it should be no surprise if Petrino is interested in the position. The Florida job is unique and regarded as one of the best in the country.
It’s clear that Petrino has been mentioned as a candidate by some, including ESPN’s Mark May and Chris Low. Others, like Pete Thamel of the New York Times, don’t mention Petrino when reeling off the top candidates. in his piece on Meyer’s decision. At this point, it’s pretty clear that Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen, both former Florida assistants, are the names mentioned most for a job opening that could include many, many names before all is said and done.
Will Stoops or Mullen be the guy? I’m sure Arkansas fans really hope so after watching Petrino’s work the past two years.
Should be interesting to see what direction this story heads in the next several days. Arkansas will report to Memphis tomorrow and there will be brief media availability. The Razorbacks resume practice for the Liberty Bowl on Monday, too, but I’m guessing the Florida story will be the dominant theme for much of the week. You can bet that whenever Petrino is available for comment, this topic will be covered.
It will be interesting to see exactly how the coach, who has been through this kind of thing plenty of times, responds. And it will be interesting to see how athletic director Jeff Long reacts, too, with his football coach’s name being mentioned as a potential candidate for one of the most coveted college football jobs in the country.
One thing I do know: It won’t be solved tonight and I’ve got a five-hour drive to Memphis in the morning.
So I’m heading off to bed.
