After observing and reflecting on Petrino's second tenure - here are my opinions on the correct move as of right now. Tyra should be working behind the scenes and using his friendship and connections (Trinity and otherwise) to back channel Brohm's legitimate viability to leave Purdue and become UofL's HC. If Brohm would absolutely make the move, I think that you pay the money and terminate Petrino at the end of the season. If Brohm is not 100% willing to make the switch, you ride out this season and tell Petrino that he has next season to show significant improvement in multiple areas - not all W/L related - or he will be terminated. Here are my reasons why.
As big as a supporter of TJ as I was (and am) - he's gone and he ain't coming back. With his departure - the only person leftover with any negative perceptions - is Bobby Petrino. That dickhead grissom doesn't count as he basically was on the forefront of all of the upheaval and more importantly, there really is nothing that anyone can do to oust him at this point. If Petrino was performing at a high level and had the program on solid ground, I would say that you could overlook this point however from a PR standpoint - he still generates lots of ill will towards the program from media and fans alike. Petrino is the last vestige of that regime and whether you loved or hated it, making a complete change would IMO have a cathartic and overwhelmingly positive overall effect on the fan base. At some point, you simply have to move on to move forward.
In the same way that Mack has reversed the negativity surrounding the basketball program, I absolutely believe that Brohm would have the same effect. He's younger, hungrier and, more well thought of from the fan base and I would suggest, throughout the national media and CFB. Even if the ceiling on the program stayed the same - avg. 8-9 wins per year - eliminating that negativity that surrounds Petrino would be hugely beneficial. Additionally, I firmly believe based upon his roots to the university and Louisville in general, he would reverse the 4-5 year HC tenure trend at UofL, and would be here 10+ years if not his entire career. I know that people could say the same thing about Petrino however his reasons for possibly staying here the rest of his career have a lot to do about his age and having far fewer options.
The money situation - 16M or so - can be figured out. Why do I say this? Because the money situations are ALWAYS figured out. I have no doubt (again based upon his ties to Louisville) checks would be written by people to figure the situation out and any shortfall will of course be covered (as it always is) by increases in ticket prices, etc.
Anyway - those are my thoughts.
