Bobby Petrino's Dad Tries To Get Him Kentucky Job

Bobby Petrino needs a job.

Badly.

And like a lot of y'all out there who went back home to live with mom and dad during the bad economy, Petrino went to hang out at his parent's house for several weeks in October. While there he went on hikes with mom and watched football with dad. Now his dad has talked to a local Kentucky newspaper and his message is simple -- give my kid the Kentucky job.

“I just know this, that he’s interested in Kentucky,” his dad said, sounding like your own dad when you were unemployed. “He wants to stay in the SEC. That was his life’s goal was to go to the SEC.”

So now the first question becomes, is Kentucky willing to give him the job?

The answer should be a resounding yes.

After all, Kentucky has already hired a walking NCAA violation in John Calipari. So far Calipari's risky hiring has worked out perfectly. The Wildcats have bought the best players, won a title, and made everyone in Kentucky very happy. Petrino may be a dirtbag, but he doesn't have a single NCAA violation on his resume. All of his failings are personal.

You know he's already won big at Louisville, so why wouldn't you bring him in if you're Kentucky?

He's actually less of a risk than Calipari was, and Calipari has worked out brilliantly.

I think it's a no brainer.

But go read this article a bit closer, is having his dad lobby for the Kentucky job a way to also spur Auburn to make the move and come after him as well?

I think so.

Witness this quote at the end of the article: “He told me he might take the first job he gets offered. Of course, I’m his dad and he’s my son, so I believe in him.”

Auburn is an infinitely better job than Kentucky. And Auburn has had interest in Petrino in the past and needs him badly now.

Why?

Because if Auburn doesn't hire Petrino, what proven coach that excites the fan base are they going to get?

We've already discussed Tennesse's pursuit of Jon Gruden. Meanwhile there are lots of good names that make sense for Arkansas -- Tommy Tuberville, Charlie Strong, Gus Malzahn, even Butch Davis -- but which names make sense for Auburn?

Tuberville and Malzahn are off the table and given the lingering NCAA issues, Butch Davis is probably not your guy. You can go after Charlie Strong, but would he take the job and want to play second fiddle to Nick Saban? Especially when Strong can stay at Louisville and wait for an even better job to open up. 

Basically, I don't see there being an easy fit for Auburn.

So is Petrino trying to motivate Auburn to move on him by having his dad give these quotes about the Kentucky job?

That's my read. 

But I'm curious what Auburn fans think, who do y'all want?

As for Kentucky fans, I know y'all want Petrino, badly. Any chance Mitch Barnhart gives in to the masses after a story like this?

For either Auburn or Kentucky, I think Petrino's a homerun hire.