It's no secret that programs struggle after having Petrino as head coach. This isn't to justify Bielema's current record. Rather, it's an historical look at teams performance post-Petrino. Something to include is the fact we have had to transition from an offense where the pass opened up the running game versus the running game opening up the passing game, and the impact John L. Smith had on the program and recruiting that year.
Louisville under Kragthorpe was a disaster. Objectively, one would think Kragthorpe was just a horrible coach, but it has been pointed out the character issues he had to address after Petrino's tenure, much like what Bielema has said. Look no further than Petrino's current tenure to see he will take any athlete that gives them a chance to win, which includes those who have been kicked out of previous schools (Josh Harvey-Clemmons, Devonte Fields, etc.).
So, below I'll show individual seasons as well as aggregate information:
2007 - 6 - 6 overall, 3 - 4 conference (went from 12 - 1 previous season)
2008 - 5 - 7 overall, 1 - 6 conference
2009 - 4 - 8 overall, 1 - 6 conference
2010 (Charlie Strong hired) - 7 - 6 overall, 3 - 4 conference
2011 - 7 - 6 overall, 5 - 2 conference
2012 - 11 - 2 overall, 5 - 2 conference
In total, that is 40 - 35 overall, and 21 - 24 in conference. It wasn't until four years later that Louisville performed well in conference but was just above .500 for the year. The next year, Charlie Strong's third season, is when they had their BCS run.
Also, in 2010 he chose to resign with a 3 - 10 record with three games remaining in the season. If Gus Malzahn had done this, he would be criticized up and down for quitting and leaving a team before the season was finished. Since he came to Arkansas, people justified it as getting out from under an oppressive owner and not having the QB (Vick) who he expected to have when taking the Falcons job.
In short, there is only speculation as to programs' success post-Petrino, but it's fairly obvious, to me, at least, that Petrino leaves programs in shambles and goes on about himself at his next destination. Western Kentucky is the only program he left who has had relative success but that is only after one full year with him as coach.
Bielema has turned this program around and the results are showing (in the classroom, in the community, in graduation, etc.), but they're not showing on the field. It's my hope he has at least one more season before we look for our next coach.
Louisville under Kragthorpe was a disaster. Objectively, one would think Kragthorpe was just a horrible coach, but it has been pointed out the character issues he had to address after Petrino's tenure, much like what Bielema has said. Look no further than Petrino's current tenure to see he will take any athlete that gives them a chance to win, which includes those who have been kicked out of previous schools (Josh Harvey-Clemmons, Devonte Fields, etc.).
So, below I'll show individual seasons as well as aggregate information:
2007 - 6 - 6 overall, 3 - 4 conference (went from 12 - 1 previous season)
2008 - 5 - 7 overall, 1 - 6 conference
2009 - 4 - 8 overall, 1 - 6 conference
2010 (Charlie Strong hired) - 7 - 6 overall, 3 - 4 conference
2011 - 7 - 6 overall, 5 - 2 conference
2012 - 11 - 2 overall, 5 - 2 conference
In total, that is 40 - 35 overall, and 21 - 24 in conference. It wasn't until four years later that Louisville performed well in conference but was just above .500 for the year. The next year, Charlie Strong's third season, is when they had their BCS run.
Also, in 2010 he chose to resign with a 3 - 10 record with three games remaining in the season. If Gus Malzahn had done this, he would be criticized up and down for quitting and leaving a team before the season was finished. Since he came to Arkansas, people justified it as getting out from under an oppressive owner and not having the QB (Vick) who he expected to have when taking the Falcons job.
In short, there is only speculation as to programs' success post-Petrino, but it's fairly obvious, to me, at least, that Petrino leaves programs in shambles and goes on about himself at his next destination. Western Kentucky is the only program he left who has had relative success but that is only after one full year with him as coach.
Bielema has turned this program around and the results are showing (in the classroom, in the community, in graduation, etc.), but they're not showing on the field. It's my hope he has at least one more season before we look for our next coach.
