Petrino Joins An Exclusive Club

By Steve Helmer
Associated Content

It only took Atlanta Falcons' Head Coach Bobby Petrino 13 games to realize coaching in the NFL is different than coaching in college. And, despite earlier claims he intended on remaining with the Falcons, Petrino has returned to the college ranks to coach at the University of Arkansas.

With his resignation, Petrino, who posted a 3-10 record with the Falcons, joins a list of successful college coaches who failed at the next level.

Steve Spurrier - Spurrier has compiled a 163-56-2 record at the college level; including a national championship in 1996. However, as the head coach of the Washington Redskins, Spurrier compiled a 12-20 over two seasons before resigning.

Lou Holtz - Holtz's college record stands at 249-132-7. And, like Spurrier, he won a national title in 1988. However, like Petrino, Holtz's NFL career lasted just 13 games with the New York Jets. He also finished with a 3-10 record.

Dennis Erickson - Erickson has two national titles to his name and a 148-65-1 NCAA record. Yet, as coach of the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, Erickson never won more than 8 games in a season and has a 40-56 overall record.

Nick Saban - Saban has a 98-48-1 record at the college level and had won a national title at LSU before coming to the Miami Dolphins in 2005. He returned to the NCAA after recording a 15-17 record in Miami.

Butch Davis - Davis came to the Cleveland Browns after posting a 51-20 record at the University of Miami. Even though he did manage a playoff appearance in his second year with the Browns, he finished his coaching career there with a 24-35 overall record.

Dick MacPherson - MacPherson's overall college record was 111-73-5. In two seasons with the New England Patriots, he won only 8 games.

Rich Brooks - Brooks was hired by the St. Louis Rams after taking the Oregon Ducks to four bowl games in six years; including an appearance in the Rose Bowl. Brooks lasted two years with the Rams, compiling a 13-19 record.