Idaho introduces Paul Petrino as coach

Idaho's new football coach, Paul Petrino, left, speaks while university President Duane Nellis, center, and athletic director Rob Spear listen during a news conference in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday. Petrino replaces interim coach Jason Gesser, who guided the Vandals during the final four games after Robb Akey was fired. Petrino has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas.

Idaho's new football coach, Paul Petrino, left, speaks while university President Duane Nellis, center, and athletic director Rob Spear listen during a news conference in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday. Petrino replaces interim coach Jason Gesser, who guided the Vandals during the final four games after Robb Akey was fired. Petrino has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

— Paul Petrino opened his tenure at the University of Idaho by showing the same fire he had in two stints at Arkansas.

Asked at his introductory press conference at the school in Moscow, Idaho, about his previous stint at Idaho in the early 1990s, Petrino replied, “People feared the Vandals. ... We were going to put the hurt on them. That’s something we want to get back.”

Petrino received a three-year contract worth $390,000 per year at his first head coaching job, according to the Idaho Statesman, a 12 percent cut from the $425,000 he made as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator this season. The Butte, Mont., native can earn a two-year contract extension if the Vandals meet certain attendance levels under Petrino, the Statesman reported.

Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear called Petrino “a proven winner who has coached at the highest levels.”

Chad Crippe of the Idaho Statesman wrote on his Twitter account late Monday, “Spear said Arkansas AD [Jeff Long] told him he would have named Petrino interim HC but couldn’t because of his last name,” referencing Long’s firing of Bobby Petrino on April 10 after a wreck on his Harley-Davidson revealed an inappropriate relationship with a member of the football staff.

Sports, Pages 20 on 12/04/2012