Louisville, Ky. ? Auburn offensive coordinator Bob Petrino was hired as Louisville’s coach Monday, replacing his former boss who moved on to Michigan State.

Petrino follows John L. Smith, who left the Cardinals last week after five seasons, including a school-record 11 wins in 2001.

“We’re going to play an exciting brand of football and hopefully put some lights up on that scoreboard,” Petrino said.

The 41-year-old Petrino signed a five-year contract with a base salary of $450,000, plus up to $250,000 a year in incentives.

Petrino was Smith’s offensive coordinator during his first season at Louisville in 1998. The Cardinals went 7-5 and led the nation in total offense (560 yards a game) and scoring offense (40 points).

This season, Auburn ranked third in the SEC in total offense (397 yards) and scoring offense (31 points).

Louisville was 7-6 this season, including a 38-15 loss to Marshall in the GMAC Bowl on Dec. 18.

Petrino also directed Smith’s offenses at Idaho from 1989-91, and at Utah State from 1995-97. Idaho led Division I-AA in total offense in 1989.

Louisville went 41-21 under Smith, one of only three coaches since 1946 to leave the school with a winning record.

Petrino left Louisville for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999 and was the team’s quarterbacks coach for three seasons.

“Deep down in my heart, I did not want to go,” he said about leaving Louisville for Jacksonville. “But I’m very glad I did that. It made me a better coach. I’m glad I got the opportunity to come back to Louisville.”