:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26558175/20120901_jla_sg8_367.0.jpg)
Bobby Petrino is beginning to fill out what will be his new Louisville coaching staff. In addition to announcing that current defensive line coach Clint Hurtt will be retained in his position, it has now been reported that UAB head coach Garrick McGee has resigned his position at the school to come to Louisvilleoin-petrino-at-louisville/4391423/ and be the offensive coordinator. McGee served in the same position at Arkansas under Petrino in from 2010-2011. He was the quarterbacks coach there in 2008 and 2009 as well.
Since the two often go together, in addition to hiring an offensive coordinator, it has been reported that Louisville will hire Chris Klenakis to be the next offensive line coach as well. Prior to coming to Louisville, Klenakis had been the offensive line coach at Iowa State and had interviewed for the offensive coordinator position there as well, but did not get it. Many fans expected former Petrino assistant Mike Summers to return and be the offensive line coach again, but, prior to Petrino getting the Louisville job, Summers accepted the offensive line coach position at Florida. Klenakis had previously been the offensive line coach at Arkansas.
The offensive staff, to some degree, would take care of itself because you know Petrino is an offensive wizard. The more interesting thing to watch is who will be the defensive coordinator and what assistant he will bring. As of now, both Randy Shannon and Gene Chizik's names been rumored to be interested, but now neither appear to be headed here. That hire, both in terms of coaching ability and recruiting ability, will be critical to Petrino's long termsuccess at Louisville.