Western Kentucky goes with Petrino
Ohio State’s Hankins, South Carolina’s Lattimore will leave early for NFL draft.
Now that Bobby Petrino is back in the coaching ranks, he wants to make the most of his second chance.
Petrino was introduced Monday as Western Kentucky’s new head football coach. The 51-yearold was fired by Arkansas in April for a “pattern of misleading” behavior following an accident in which the coach was injured while riding a motorcycle with his mistress as a passenger.
“At this point in my career, it’s about getting back and coaching players,” Petrino said. “It just happened to open up at a place we love.
“I hope it can be as long as possible.”
Petrino had a 34-17 record at Arkansas before he was dismissed in the wake of the scandal. Petrino had an affair with former Razorback volleyball player Jessica Dorrell, who he later hired as a football assistant and gave $20,000 in gifts. Petrino said initially he was the only person on the motorcycle but later admitted to Dorrell’s presence.
“I’m going to be able to sit down with mom and dad and the studentathlete and make them understand how this experience has made me a better coach, a better person and will make me understand their son better,” Petrino said during a packed news conference at HouchensSmith Stadium.
Petrino is replacing Willie Taggart, who left WKU last week to become South Florida’s coach.
Western Kentucky gave Petrino a four-year deal with a base annual salary of $850,000.
Athletic director Todd Stewart knows he might get criticized for hiring Petrino.
“What it comes down is that he made a big mistake and he acknowledges that and he’s taken own- ership of that,” Stewart said. “And he’s paid a heavy price for it.”
Colorado: Mike MacIntyre turned around the San Jose State football program in short order and will be asked to do the same at Colorado.
On Monday, MacIntyre signed a five-year deal to coach the Buffaloes. He will make $2 million a season.
His hiring ends a twoweek search by Colorado that included a rejection by its first choice, Butch Jones.
Ohio State: All-Big Ten defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins announced he will give up his senior season to make himself available for the NFL draft.
South Carolina: Injured South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore will enter the NFL draft, said people familiar with the decision. One person said Monday that Lattimore is expected to announce his decision later this week.
The running back suffered a horrific injury to his right knee against Tennessee on Oct. 27. Doctors say Lattimore had successful surgery to repair several ligaments on Nov. 2. It is unclear when he’ll be able to return to the field.
Texas Tech: Offensive line coach Chris Thomsen will serve as interim coach for the Red Raiders’ bowl game later this month against Minnesota. Former coach Tommy Tuberville left to take the head coaching position at Cincinnati last week.
UTEP: The school hired former Miners player Sean Kugler as its new coach to replace Mike Price, who retired.
Kugler spent almost three years as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line coach, following stints with the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. He also worked at Boise State.
Indians: A person familiar with the negotiations said late Sunday night that Cleveland has agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent slugger Mark Reynolds.
Reynolds (.221, 23 HRs, 69 RBIs for the Orioles) will likely play first base and be the designated