Report: Louisville AD Tyra interviewing Matt Canada on Monday

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

According to FootballScoop, the Louisville Cardinals Athletic Director Vince Tyra will interview Matt Canada on Monday. Canada spent this past season as the Maryland Terrapins interim head coach.

He guided the team to a 5-7 record in 2018. The team also went 3-6 in the Big Ten Conference.

Matt Canada looks on from the sidelines against the Texas Longhorns (Getty Images)

Canada was named the Terrapins interim head coach in August after former head coach D.J. Durkin was placed on administrative leave following Jordan McNair’s death. McNair was an offensive lineman, who had died in June.

During an afternoon practice on May 29th, 2018, McNair collapsed. He was then hospitalized with signs of exhaustion.

In August, ESPN wrote a damming story that said his teammates and even the medical staff noticed that McNair was suffering from a seizure around 5 pm. This was one hour before a 911 call was placed for help. The school has disputed this fact.

The ESPN investigation also alleged that McNair first expected cramps at 4:59 pm. However, he did not arrive at a local hospital until 6:36 pm. The trainers — who have been fired — did not recognize that he was having a heat-related illness.

Canada was in his first season with the Terrapins. Prior to be named interim head coach, he was hired as their Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach. He spent the 2017 season as the LSU Tigers Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach.

He was the Pittsburgh Panthers Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 2016. From 2013 through 2015, he was the North Carolina State Wolfpacks Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach.

He spent the 2012 season as the Wisconsin Badgers Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. He was the Northern Illinois Huskies Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 2011.

Canada coached as the Indiana Hoosiers Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach from 2007 through 2010. He also served as the Hoosiers’ Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator in 2005 and 2006.

He was the Hoosiers Quarterbacks Coach in 2004. He served as the Huskies Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 2003.

The 46-year-old New Palestine, Indiana native was the Huskies Quarterbacks Coach in 2001 and 2002. He also was the Huskies Running Backs Coach from 1998 through 2000.

He was the Butler Bulldogs Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 1997. He began his coaching career as a Hoosiers graduate assistant from 1994 through 1996.

Brohm rejects homecoming, stays at Purdue

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm is not going home. The Louisville Cardinals will now turn their attention to other candidates..

Brohm was reportedly the front-runner for the position. Not anymore.

Jeff Brohm looking on during warmups prior to the Nebraska Cornhuskers game (Getty Images)

Louisville Athletic Director Vince Tyra reportedly met with Brohm on Tuesday. The school is in need of a head coach after firing Bobby Petrino in November.

He finished his second season with the Boilermakers. He is 13-12 at the school.

Brohm was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended high school in the city. He also attended The University of Louisville.

He also began his coaching career at the school.

“This has been a very difficult and emotional decision for me and my family,” Brohm said in a statement released to Louisville media. “We are extremely happy at Purdue and thankful for the opportunity to lead this program. After intense and thorough discussion, I believe it is important to finish the building process we have begun and honor the commitment I made to our football program, players, and recruits. While going home was very appealing and meaningful to me, the timing was not ideal. I believe that remaining at Purdue is the right thing to do, and I am excited for the challenges ahead.

“I want to thank the University of Louisville and Vince Tyra for reaching out and expressing their interest in me. As a former Cardinal player and coach, I want nothing but the best for the University of Louisville. Under the leadership of President Neeli Bendapudi and Vince Tyra, the future of the university is in great hands. I also want to all Cardinal fans for their support over the years.”

Purdue has backup plans in case Brohm leaves for homecoming

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

According to FootballScoop, the Purdue Boilermakers have a plan in place in case head coach Jeff Brohm elected to accept the Louisville Cardinals head coaching job when he’s offered it. The Cardinals fired Bobby Petrino earlier this month.

The website says that the Boilermakers officials are working on attempting to keep Brohm. While other officials are working on a plan in case he leaves and they need to replace him.

Jeff Brohm watching warm ups before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Getty Images)

The Boilermakers signed Brohm to a contract extension in April. They said that the time they were committed to keeping Brohm.

However, his heart could be pulling home, as he was a former Cardinals player. He also was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

Also, he began his head coaching career with the Cardinals.

He is 12-12 with the Boilermakers in his coaching career. He is 5-6 this season.

Brohm is 42-22 in 64 games as a college football coach in five seasons. He also spent three seasons as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach, where he went 30-10.

The Boilermakers are even willing to give Brohm another extension, according to FootballScoop. However, they will execute a search should they need to once Brohm gives them an answer.

Among those candidates will be Troy Trojans head coach Neal Brown, Alabama Crimson Tide offensive analyst Butch Jones, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz, Clemson Tigers co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony Elliott, Maryland Terrapins interim head coach Matt Canada, and Memphis Tigers head coach Mike Norvell.

Canada could be in the mix to be the Maryland Terrapins permanent head coach. He has been the team’s interim head coach this season.

Cardinals name Ward interim head coach

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Louisville Cardinals have named Lorenzo Ward as the team’s interim head coach for the rest of the season. He replaces Bobby Petrino, who was fired on Sunday.

He takes over a team that went 2-8 before Petrino’s firing. They were defeated 54-23 by the Syracuse Orange on Friday night.

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Ward was previously the safeties coach on Petrino’s staff. The 51-year-old also held the title of Associate Head Coach.

He’ll coach the team in the final two games of the season. The Cardinals face the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday. Then, during Thanksgiving weekend, they’ll face the Kentucky Wildcats on November 24th.

Brian VanGorder, the team’s defensive coordinator, had previous head coaching experience. The 59-year-old was previously a head coach at Wayne State and Georgia Southern.

He went 19-25 in four seasons. He last was a head coach in 2006 with the Eagles, who went 3-8.

VanGorder arrived at the school this season. Ward has spent two seasons at the institution.

Prior to joining Louisville, he was the defensive coordinator with the Fresno State Bulldogs in 2016. He also spent time as the South Carolina Gamecocks defensive coordinator for four-years before joining Fresno State.

He worked on Steve Spurrier’s staff for seven-years at South Carolina.

Ward spent the 2008 season as the Arkansas Razorbacks secondary coach. Petrino was the Razorbacks head coach at the time.

He spent the 2007 season with the Oakland Raiders. From 1999 through 2006, he worked under Frank Beamer with the Virginia Tech Hokies.

He was also a graduate assistant from 1991 through 1993 with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Cardinals want to bring Jeff Brohm home

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm is the front-runner to become the next Louisville Cardinals head coach, according to Stadium Network’s Brett McMurphy. Brohm was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

Brohm is in his second-season, as the Boilermakers head coach. Presently, the team is 5-5 after losing to the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday.

Jeff Brohm looking on against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Getty Images)

As the Purdue head coach, he is 12-11 in 23 games. In order for the Cardinals to get their No. 1 choice, he’ll have to get buyout the remaining contract with the Boilermakers.

The 47-year-old signed a contract extension with the Boilermakers following his first season at the school in 2017.

Brohm has five-years experience as a head coach in college football. Besides being the Boilermakers head coach, he also spent three seasons as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head coach.

The person he actually replaced with the Hilltoppers was Petrino, who went 8-4 with the team in 2013.

With the Hilltoppers, he went 30-10 in 40 games. However, with the Boilermakers, he has gone just 12-11 in 23 games.

In April 2018, he received a two-year contract extension by the Boilermakers. With the extension, he had a seven-year, $28 million deal with the school.

In 2020, he is slated to make $4 million at the school. In addition, his contract was expected to reach $4.5 million in the final year of his contract in 2024.

“That’s what it’s intended to be, not only to Jeff and his staff but people that might be looking to join our program,” Athletic Director Mike Bobinski said of the continued commitment with the extension. “If they’re wondering or not if we’re serious about keeping a top-flight coach here at Purdue, we’ve tried to move in that direction here again.

“That’s the goal for sure. We want Jeff to know and others to know that we intend to build this thing and Jeff is the right guy to build it.”

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1061661278471667718

https://twitter.com/dandakich/status/1061672346011004928

Petrino to argue for $14.3 million in buyout due to contract language

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, former Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino could receive $14.3 million in the buyout from his former employer. Petrino, according to Rovell, will argue for the number “due to contract language.”

The original number that’s being put out is $12.8 million, according to Rovell.

Bobby Petrino talking to Jawon Pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Getty Images)

Petrino was fired by the Cardinals on Sunday. The team has looked a mess in recent weeks, as the team lost seven-straight games, including blowouts in the past two weeks to ranked teams.

The Cardinals was dismantled 77-16 to the No. 2 ranked Clemson Tigers. On Friday night, the team was defeated by the No. 13 Syracuse Orange 54-23.

According to ESPN’s Stats & Information page, the Cardinals were averaging 21.7 points per game this season with Petrino as the head coach in the first season of the post-Lamar Jackson era. This is the lowest in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The previous two seasons under Jackson, the team led the conference in scoring.

Petrino is the fourth head coach fired mid-season. However, Kansas Jayhawks head coach David Beaty is fired, but it will not be effective until the end of the season.

Mike Jinks was fired by the Bowling Green Falcons on October 14th, 2018. He was replaced on an interim basis by Carl Pelini.

The Maryland Terrapins fired D.J. Durkin on October 31st, 2018 — one day after announcing he would return from his suspension. After backlash from students and people all across the state, Durkin was fired.

He did not coach a single game this season and was suspended in August after Jordan McNair’s death. Matt Canada has been the interim head coach for the season — and will complete the season after Durkin’s firing.

Louisville owes Bobby Petrino at least $12.8 million. Expect Petrino to argue for $14.3 million due to contract language.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 11, 2018

Because of his affair with a university employee, Bobby Petrino lost his chance at an $18 million buyout from Arkansas six and a half years ago. Looking like he’ll be getting a $14M buyout from Louisville now.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 11, 2018

Cardinals fire Bobby Petrino

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Louisville Cardinals have fired head football coach Bobby Petrino. He was fired just two days after his final game with the team.

Yahoo! Sports’ Pat Forde was the first to report the news. Petrino will not be allowed to finish the season.

Bobby Petrino looking on against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Getty Images)

He has been fired after a 2-8 record this season. The team has lost seven straight games, including a 54-23 loss to the Syracuse Orange on Friday night.

The athletic department will now owe Petrino $14.1 million in a buyout, which will be paid over the next several years. This would be in addition to the money they would spend on a new head coach.

The Cardinals would likely target Jeff Brohm, who is the Purdue Boilermakers head coach. The 47-year-old was born in Louisville, Kentucky and attended Louisville, before going undrafted in the 1994 NFL Draft.

Brohm began his collegiate coaching career with the Cardinals in 2003 as the quarterbacks coach. He worked as an assistant coach from 2003 through 2008 with the team.

He guided the Boilermakers to a 5-5 record this season. The team fell to 5-5 after a 41-10 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday.

Purdue began the season on a three-game losing streak. They then rebounded with four straight wins, including a 49-20 blowout win over No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

The team; however, has lost two of its last three games.

Petrino went 119-56 in his collegiate coaching career with the Cardinals, Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 14 seasons. He also went 5-6 in 11 Bowl games.

Nine years of his career was spent with the Cardinals, as he went 77-35 in 112 games. He also went 3-5 in bowl games as the Louisville head coach.

His last bowl game win with the team was in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in 2015. Lamar Jackson — the game’s MVP — led the Cardinals to a 27-21 win over the Texas A&M Aggies.

Orange dismantles Cardinals at Carrier Dome

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The No. 13 Syracuse Orange defeated the Louisville Cardinals on Friday night. The Orange won 54-23 against the Cardinals at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York.

The Orange improved to 8-2 on the season. They are now 5-2 within conference play.

Syracuse has now won four straight games.

Eric Dungey attempts a pass against the North Carolina Tar Heels (Getty Images)

The Cardinals fell to 2-8 on the season. They are now 0-7 in conference play.

Louisville has lost seven straight games.

Orange quarterback Eric Dungey went 14 of 27 for 192 yards. He also had one touchdown and one interception.

Moe Neal had eight carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Jarveon Howard had 15 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. Dungey had 16 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Nykeim Johnson had a 65-yard touchdown reception. Taj Harris had six receptions for 58 yards. Sean Riley had three receptions for 51 yards.

Cardinals quarterback Jawon Pass went 13 of 25 for 196 yards. He also had one touchdown and one interception.

Sean McCormack also went 1 of 5 for 14 yards. He also had an interception.

Pass also had 12 carries for 80 yards. Malik Cunningham had six carries for 64 yards. Colin Wilson had 10 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown. Hassan Hall had 10 carries for 11 yards and a touchdown.

Dez Fitzpatrick had two receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Seth Dawkins had three receptions for 53 yards. Jaylen Smith had two receptions for 27 yards.

Syracuse had 17 second-half points. Dungey scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown. Dungey also hit Johnson for a 65-yard touchdown reception.

Andre Szmyt also made a 38-yard field goal.

Louisville had 16 points in the second-half. Hall scored on a seven-yard rushing touchdown. Wilson also scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown. Following his score, Blanton Creque missed the extra point.

Creque also made a 31-yard field goal.

The Orange led 37-7 at halftime. Howard scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown. Neal also scored on a 67-yard rushing touchdown.

Dungey also scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown. Neal also scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown.

Szmyt also made three field goals.

Cardinals’ Pass hit Fitzpatrick for a 13-yard touchdown reception.

Louisville TE arrested for threatening to kill girlfriend

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Louisville Cardinals tight end Kemari Averett is in some serious trouble. According to CollegeFootballTalk, Averett was arrested for threatening to kill his girlfriend.

He was arrested on Oct. 15 on several charges, including a felony. He allegedly held a gun to his girlfriend’s head — who is also the mother of his child — and threatened to kill her.

Kemari Averett attempts to make a catch against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Getty Images)

He has been suspended from the program since Oct. 17.

The sophomore is also reportedly, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, being accused of rape in mid-August from an unidentified woman. The alleged victim reported it to the campus’ crisis center.

Averett was then asked by the University to have no contact with the alleged victim on Oct. 8. An investigation was started on Oct. 9 after the alleged victim went to the authorities.

“If the university notifies us of information that necessitates action, we act. We did not have information that would have suspended [Averett] from competition,” athletic director Vince Tyra said in a statement earlier this week, addressing whether or not the football program was aware of the rape investigation when Averett played against the Boston College Eagles.

The Cardinals, 2-5, lost 38-20 to the Eagles on Oct. 13.

Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino released a statement — after being silent on the matter — on Thursday night.

“Kemari was already suspended from all team activity due to the incident on Oct. 15 when I was notified of the most recent charge against him. He remains on suspension from all football activities and facilities while an investigation is conducted. I take all charges of misconduct seriously and act swiftly when conduct does not meet our expectations.”

Averett said that the accuser in the alleged rape case is a woman he previously had a romantic relationship with.

The authorities were originally charging Averett with first-degree wanton endangerment and a misdemeanor fourth-degree domestic violence. the first-degree charge has now changed to a second-degree wanton endangerment charge, which is misdemeanor.

A trial date has been set in February 2019. Because of these incidents, he has been banned from stepping foot on school grounds.

“The county prosecutor said in Thursday’s hearing that Averett has been deemed a Persona Non Grata by the University of Louisville, explained on the university’s website as ‘a person who is not welcome at the University of Louisville,’” the newspaper wrote.

Averett’s attorney, Aubrey Williams, told ESPN that the rape allegations are “baseless garbage.” He has not been charged in the alleged rape at this time.

“I’m already looking like the bad guy,” Averett told the Courier-Journal. “I know my word, it don’t matter right now. … I’m just the big and bad guy.”

Averett, who is an Atlanta, Ga. native, had eight receptions for 65 yards in four starts this season. He was then-tied for the team lead with two touchdowns before he was suspended for his off-the-field problems.

Louisville removes Papa John’s from football stadium

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

As the fall out continues with Papa John’s, the Louisville Cardinals have renamed its football stadium. Instead of being named Papa John’s Stadium, it will now be called Cardinal Stadium.

John Schnatter, who founded the company, and was the chairman until recently when he used a racial slur.

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Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi announces the move on Friday afternoon. She said she has the support of the Board of Trustees.

She also admitted that she spoke with Schnatter before she announced the move. She said he apologized and supported the move, as she said he did not want to be a distraction.

“These comments were hurtful and unacceptable, and they do not reflect the values of our university,” Bendapudi wrote in a letter sent to the university community. “By taking this action, we renew our community’s commitment to speaking up when it matters, doing what is right, and coming together as one team — our Cardinal family — to heal and move forward. The brightest days for this university are still ahead.”

He previously resigned from the company last year during the NFL protests. Yet, he remained on as the Chairman until recently.

Several Cardinals players were not happy about Schnatter‘ schools of words. They were vocal that a change should be made.

Since Papa John’s paid money for the naming rights, it is not clear if there will be any ramifications moving forward. Or if the school would have to repay any money to the Pizza company.