I just heard (ESPN) that Willingham is out at Notre Dame. Urban Meyer has in his Utah contract that he can leave for ND without penalty. If he goes to ND, that might help open Florida job for Petrino.
IMHO, Bobby Petrino would be a dynamite pick for the Gators. And even though my Tigers would hate to lose Gene Chizic, he too, is ready for a major head coaching job.
I have been worried about how the President of UF, Bernie Matchen, has been sticking his ego into this coaching search. The connection between Matchen and Meyer (Univ of Utah) was one that couldn't be overlooked and it was suspected that, unless something happened at ND or Michigan (which I believe Meyer also had a "dream job" out for also), that we was coming to Gainesville.
I have been personally turned off by how the new President of UF has handled the situation altogether. He basically told Steve Spurrier to "get in line like everyone else". Now, despite what you think about Steve Spurrier, you don't treat him like that; he deserves a bit more respect than that. And, the word on the ground here in Gainesville is that Spurrier was interested in coming back to Florida, Matchen's gruff manner in which he handled Spurrier is what sent Spurrier elsewhere (South Carolina).
I just hope that the Gators get a forward-looking, attacking-style coach that has good recruiting roots. I definitely think that Petrino is the best pick.