Waking Up - The Petrino Story

“Bobby, are you awake, Bobby, can you hear me?” asks Mrs. Petrino in the quiet hospital room.

“Huh? What’s this?” Bobby murmurs.

“You were in a motorcycle crash, Bobby. You were in a coma for over 12 years. It’s the year 2023 now.”

“Are you shittin me?…”

“You’re lucky to be alive. One of the University’s volleyball players happened to notice you in the ditch and called for help before it was too late. She was on the way to her wedding rehearsal. I’m, well we, are her kids godparents now. Her name is Jessica.”


“What about the team, how’d Tyler Wilson do? Did he win the Heisman like I said he would? And who replaced me?”

“Well, Gus Malzhan was named head coach. Tyler and the team had a wonderful year, went 11-1, losing to Bama of course. Tyler was second in the Heisman.”

“I want my job back. I have unfinished business. Think Gus will retire soon?”

“Oh Gus isn’t the coach anymore. He was fired after a couple disappointing seasons. The new coach is Sam Pittman. He is actually looking for an offensive coordinator at the moment…”

A few hours later Mrs. Petrino’s phone rings. She answers.

“Hi! Yes, it’s true! I’m here with him now. Yes he’d love to…Bobby, it’s for you.”

Bobby takes the phone. “Hello?”

“Welcome back, Coach! It’s Sam. I got a cole beer and a headset waiting for you when you’re ready.”

“On my way.”

Bobby swings his feet to the floor and tries to stand up while several nurses rush into the room to stop him. Bobby cries out in frustration “I didn’t come to paint!”