Comparable Disappointment: Louisville 2007, West Virginia 2008

Bobby Petrino and Rich Rodriguez both left highly successful Big East programs for a “better” gig, and now both are struggling at their new destinations.   For Petrino, it was a rendezvous with the NFL—his dream job had finally materialized. The dream ended early after Petrino lost star quarterback Michael Vick to dogfighting charges and didn't find the same success as he did at Louisville.   Petrino was 3-10 when he decided to return to the college game and coach at Arkansas. This season, Petrino and the Razorbacks are 2-1 after being routed by Alabama 49-14 in their conference opener last weekend.   While Petrino struggled, Louisville's prolific program also went down the tubes. Coming off an Orange Bowl win, the Cardinals figured to have similar success in 2007 with Heisman contender Brian Brohm back for his senior year.   Steve Kragthorpe was brought in from Tulsa in a dream situation of his own, inheriting a loaded offense and competent ... (link)