I’m very happy to be writing this article knowing that just a few days after Coach Strong’s departure the University of Louisville’s Football Program has found the next head coach to lead the program forward. And I say forward because that’s exactly where the program will go with Bobby Petrino leading the way. This is a very good thing Cardinal fans. There isn’t a fan among us that wanted to go backwards after the success the last coaching staff worked so hard to achieve, we’ve been there done that. This will assure that a Top 15 program in the country will not only remain that way for the near future but also take that next step forward as well.

I know some fans are torn on the decision to take coach Petrino back due to his off the field indiscretions and due to the way he handled himself when he left the Louisville program the first time. A lot of folks like to sit atop their moral high horse and cast stones on the lowly souls who stumble beneath them. But to judge those folks would be just as bad so I won’t. And I don’t think anyone should be forced to forgive/forget but aren’t we as human beings at least required to give those who have done wrong some room for redemption? Coach Petrino had a year off from football, and had a year to reevaluate his life and priorities. “I just made a terrible mistake, something that I have to live with for the rest of my life,” Petrino said. “I’m trying to work hard every day to make things right, to put it behind me and move forward.” Can’t we give him that chance? Who are we to tell someone they can’t change?

And while it may be questionable what kind of person he is there is no doubt what kind of coach he is. With the move to the ACC taking place next season and the level of competition reaching a whole other level it was a no brainer to take a coach with a resume like Bobby Petrino has. He’s never done anything as a coach to even raise an eye brow of the NCAA. As a head coach he has a record of 83-30 a 73% winning percentage. Bobby has a history of building formidable programs. He has the best winning percentage (.82) of any head coach in Louisville football history, took our Cards to the Orange Bowl and had us all but a field goal away from playing for a national title. When he took over a dying Arkansas program many thought he would struggle to rebuild in what most consider the best college football battle ground in the country the SEC West. But not only did he rebuild that program he led them to the Sugar and Cotton bowls and had them on the cusp of competing with Alabama and LSU for the SEC West crown. And last year he took over a Western Kentucky program leading them to a 8 win season and beating in-state Kentucky along the way. He has been called an offensive minded genius in the past and has proven that he is a winner time and time again.

On Thursday Bobby Petrino will officially be announced as the Cardinals football coach and will probably be introduced as such to the folks in attendance at Thursday nights basketball game. Coach Petrino will start his road to redemption, a road that will be paved of much success for the football program. Be happy Cardinal fans and welcome back home Coach Petrino! L1C4!