Bobby Petrino became a toxic figure in the NFL when he walked out on the Falcons to coach Arkansas, and he became a toxic figure in college football when he was fired at Arkansas for lying about giving his mistress a job. But while most people in the football world may have a low opinion of him, Petrino says there are still coaches who want to pick his brain -- including the staff of the Tennessee Titans.
In his first interview since Arkansas fired him, Petrino told ESPN’s Joe Schad that the Titans asked him to visit their coaching staff, and he did so and might continue to visit with the Titans or other other NFL or college coaching staffs.
Petrino may be a bad person, but no one disputes that he’s a smart offensive coach, and so it makes sense for other coaches to be interested in his input. It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that other coaching staffs are also interested in having Petrino consult with them.
But it would be surprising if anyone at either the pro or college level trusts Petrino enough to give him another head-coaching job after the way he burned both the Falcons and Arkansas. Still, Petrino says another head-coaching job is what he wants.
“I think I’ve got to take this one day at a time, continue to improve as a person and as a husband,” Petrino said. “I’m also going to continue to work on football. And I just hope and pray that I get that opportunity again.”
The opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL won’t come. But the Titans’ interest in Petrino suggests that he might get another job as an NFL assistant.