re: Marcello says Buyout number is not an issue, possible change after ND game

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My concern is that Petrino, despite being a competent and handy replacement, flames out again.

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I have mixed feelings about Petrino as well. Kinda feels like when we hired Mike Anderson trying to relive the Nolan years.

Last time Petrino was here he was in his prime. Now he’s 64. His second run at Louisville didn’t end well. The last 2 coaches he worked for got fired.

At the same time his biggest weakness (besides blonds) has been recruiting high school players. That’s not really a thing anymore. I am intrigued how he could do with a decent NIL budget.

Anyway, no need to lock him up now. Make him the interim coach and see how it goes.

I'm really surprised that Petrino even WANTS to be a head coach again. College football is a pro sport now and he did not enjoy being a pro football coach.

Honestly though it won't matter who has the headset if we don't have NIL funds to back up whoever is there.

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Is 64 really that old?

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Yes. Cognitive decline in a persons late 60s is a real thing. Only a couple of coaches have won a national championship past the age of 65. I know that’s not the goal but it does speak to being past his prime.

According to ChatGPT only 3 coaches have won after the age of 63. And none of them was their first.

Saban at 69 for the oldest.
Bowden at 70.
Bear at 66.

I was just referring to him being 64. He ain't coming.

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HY would give Sam a week to rally the troops and beat ND

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I hate this kind of talk. Put it on the players to save Sam's job. What if they do? New contract and coach for life? If they don't, shame.

Just fire the guy already. Audition the interim. Let the next AD make the hire.

^What he said^

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Yes. Cognitive decline in a persons late 60s is a real thing.

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Let’s just feed them microdoses of psilocybin which is starting to show reverse aging in cells and disease such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

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Agreed. We could probably pay Petrino lower than the going rate for a coach too since it’s pretty clear he likes the state/NWA and wants to coach here.

Recruiting being more about money now suits him and I think our fans would be more excited about him than any other coach we could realistically hire and will start donating more.

But I’m sure some around the program won’t want him because he’s a meanie and demands people do their job well.

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I know it's not "ideal", but the program is not in an ideal situation. Like you said, I think we can get him for a decent price. It's not like teams are beating down his door. He's got an ego and he's a winner. Give him some nice incentives and I'd bet his arse will hit them. Will he win a natty? Probably not. That'd be true if we got Nick Saban, but our chances are better with him to contend than any realistic and unproven options that are out there. He has more than humbled himself by coming back and apologizing in LR, and even moreso by taking a OC position at a school were he was ran off unceremoniously during an embarrassing scandal and had us top 5. The fact that he has been willing to come back with hat in hand and turn the offense around shows how bad he wants this. He's has accepted his punishment and worked his way back up the ladder to be the head coach. AND he has never spoken poorly of anything or anyone at Arkansas. That's a lot from a man like him.

I don't think he's some savior, but he's still got it. If recruiting was as big as it used to be, Dabo would still be winning. And unlike the NFL , the coach still makes more than the players and is an authority figure. I think the NIL era is the perfect fit for Bobby P. Let's give the man the resources, support and job he's needed to make his run. This would be his last chance and he knows it. Only way he moves on from here is with a NC. Hell, I say if he does that, he buyout goes to zero and he's welcome to shop himself around. With the 9 conference games we need a professional coach. We need someone that could do less with more and out scheme other coaches. Get him a GM to manage players/pay and defensive recruiting and I was dead serious when I said we need to pay Coach O to recruit.