By: Jonathan Weaver
UPDATE: Garrick McGee has been named the replacement for Paul Petrino as the Offensive Coordinator at the University of Arkansas. McGee is the first African American to be named either an offensive or defensive coordinator in school history.
Bobby Petrino will have another thing on his mind this winter besides recruiting and preparing to face off with East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl January 2. Bobby Petrino will now be on the lookout for a new Offensive Coordinator for his high powered offense. Paul Petrino is reportedly going to be announced as the Offensive Coordinator for the University of Illinois in the Big Ten.
Rumors and reports have been flying around involving Paul since the Mississippi State game in Little Rock on November 21. After that Razorback victory, Paul Petrino flew to Western Kentucky to be interviewed for their Head Coach opening. Petrino later pulled his name from the discussion. This is why Paul’s decision to take the Illinois job is so intriguing. This move will be seen as lateral as best, and just might be the move Paul was looking to make to move out of the shadow of his brother.
Petrino might have been told in those Head Coach searches that they wanted to see proof of his own offensive genius. This move to Illinois will let Petrino be in complete control of the offense, and to see what the younger brother can do on his own. This hire is a great one for the Big Ten. Petrino just might bring some offense to the faltering conference. This is a blessing in disguise for Arkansas as well. It is a good sign when assistants and coordinators are wanted by other schools. That is something that didn’t happen in the 10 years prior to Petrino arriving on the Hill.
Look for the Hogs to promote Garrick McGee from quarterbacks coach to Offensive Coordinator/QB coach and hire a Wide Receivers coach from the outside. McGee was the Offensive Coordinator at Northwestern from 2006-2007 and is one of the strongest recruiters on this staff.
Stay up to date with the coaching search right here at UATVonline.net or on Twitter @UATVonline.
Jonathan Weaver is the Assistant Station Manager for UATV and the host of UATV’s The Sports Advantage.