How Will Bobby Petrino do as Western Kentucky Head Coach?

After a messy split from Arkansas and surprise hiring at Western Kentucky, the college football world will be watching the Hilltoppers closely to see how coach Bobby Petrino will perform. While many may not like him, no one can dispute his coaching ability.

Western Kentucky finished fifth in the Sun Belt last season going 7-5 overall (4-4 Sun Belt) and suffered a heart breaking 24-21 loss to Central Michigan in the Little Caesars Bowl. Petrino will be looking
to improve upon Willie Taggart's last season as coach of the Hilltoppers before departing for South Florida.

Luckily for Petrino, Western Kentucky has several skilled players returning. Senior running back Antonio Andrews led the nation with 3,161 all purpose yards, joining Barry Sanders as the only players to ever eclipse 3,000 all purpose yards.

Receiver Willie McNeal returns after recording six receiving touchdowns last season. Joining him on the other side will be Austin Aikens, a sophomore who averaged 27 yards on just eight catches last season.

Petrino has always used tight ends as a focal point of his offensive schemes, and he will have plenty of options at the position. Converted receiver Tyler Higbee is tall and has good hands, while Mitchell Henry and Tim Gorski also expect to see the field.

The only question on offense comes at quarterback, although it's expected junior Brandon Doughty , who actually started as a freshman before an injury sidelined him, will likely fill the position.

Petrino's defense is largely intact, from the previos season, with the exception of the line. This was a talented squad, and one can assume it can only get better when Petrino finds the right "hogs" to anchor
the line, if you'll pardon the reference.

With all the returning talent, some early projections have Western Kentucky finishing third in the Sun Belt before leaving for Conference USA next season. The real question is, will Petrino be satisfied with
the possibility of finishing third or will he do something rarely achieved by a coach in his first season and win the conference outright? With new defensive coordinator Nick Holt, formerly of USC and Washington, implementing what is coming together as an aggressive 4-3 set, and offensive coordinator Jeff Brohm running the offense under Petrino's watchful eye, chances are Petrino has a team that should be more than capable of making the Hilltoppers last run in the Sun Belt a memorable one.

- Kevin Hicks

@kevinhicks77

kevin.projectcfb@gmail.com