Louisville announces it has hired Petrino as coach

Thursday, January 9, 2014

photo Western Kentucky head coach Bobby Petrino looks to an official during his game against Tennessee in Knoxville in this 2013 file photo,

By GARY B. GRAVES

AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville has hired Bobby Petrino for a second stint as the Cardinals' football coach.

The school made the announcement this morning on its website after a unanimous vote by the school's athletic association. Petrino returns to the Cardinals after leading them to a 41-9 record from 2003-06. He replaces Charlie Strong, who left last weekend to accept the Texas job.

Petrino takes over a Cardinal program coming off a 12-1 finish and gearing up to join the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. He is 83-30 lifetime as a college coach and comes to Louisville after guiding Western Kentucky to an 8-4 finish in his only season with the Hilltoppers.

WKU athletic director Todd Stewart said in a statement that the Cardinals "made a tremendous hire" and wished Petrino and his family well.