Louisville announces it has hired Petrino as coach

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville has hired Bobby Petrino for a second stint as the Cardinals' football coach.

The school made the announcement Thursday morning on its website after a unanimous vote by the school's athletic association. Petrino returns to the Cardinals after leading them to a 41-9 record from 2003-06. He replaces Charlie Strong, who left last weekend to accept the Texas job.

Petrino takes over a Cardinal program coming off a 12-1 finish and gearing up to join the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. He is 83-30 lifetime as a college coach and comes to Louisville after guiding Western Kentucky to an 8-4 finish in his only season with the Hilltoppers.

WKU athletic director Todd Stewart said in a statement that the Cardinals "made a tremendous hire" and wished Petrino and his family well.