Falcons Coach Calls It Quits

Tuesday, December 11th 2007, 7:09 pm

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons have confirmed that Bobby Petrino has resigned as coach in the middle of a disastrous season. The Associated Press has learned from a source familiar with Patrino's decision that he quit to take the head coaching job at
Arkansas. The source wanted to remain anonymous because the school had not made the announcement.

Petrino left a successful program at Louisville to replace the fired Jim Mora with Atlanta this year amid great expectations. But shortly after his arrival, things began to unravel with star quarterback Michael Vick being suspended from the team and ultimately pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison on Monday.

Without Vick the Falcons have suffered through a 3-and-10 season so far, including a 34-to-14 loss to New Orleans Monday night.

The Falcons plan a news conference with team owner Arthur Blank and general manager Rich McCay to discuss the Petrino resignation on Wednesday.