Petrino to Stay at Louisville

Louisville Coach Bobby Petrino withdrew from consideration for the job at Louisiana State on Saturday.

Petrino met with LSU officials during the week about replacing Nick Saban, who is leaving the Tigers to coach the Miami Dolphins.

“LSU has a tradition-rich program with much to offer, but as I reflect on what we’ve accomplished in a short time here at Louisville, we’re on the brink of establishing a great program that will compete for a national championship,” Petrino said in a statement. “I want to be the coach who sees that through.”

Petrino coached No. 7 Louisville to a 44-40 victory over No. 10 Boise State in the Liberty Bowl on Friday. Louisville recently gave him a raise from $550,000 to $1 million a season, plus incentive clauses.

LSU had no comment on Petrino’s statement, spokesman Michael Bonnette said at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla., where the Tigers lost to Iowa, 30-25.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State Coach Les Miles has emerged as the top choice to replace Saban, a source close to the negotiations said.

Miles could be introduced as LSU’s coach early next week, the source said on the condition of anonymity.

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Dennis Franchione will get a contract extension and raise after leading Texas A&M; to the Cotton Bowl in his second season as coach.

His contract currently is worth $1.7 million a year through 2010. Three days earlier, Texas Coach Mack Brown agreed to a 10-year contract worth more than $25 million.

Athletic Director Bill Byrne said before the Aggies’ 38-7 loss to Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl that Franchione would remain among the nation’s best-paid coaches.