It’s official — Bobby Petrino will return to the University of Arkansas as offensive coordinator.
Driving the news: University officials confirmed the hire yesterday in a news release.
- ESPN reported Tuesday that Petrino was up for the job, sending shock waves through Hog country.
By the numbers: Petrino will make $1.5 million for the 2024 season and $1.6 million in 2025, according to his contract. He’ll also make $350,000 from Dec. 3 to Feb. 28, 2024, when this NCAA season officially ends, though the Razorbacks have no games left.
- Petrino will receive a $7,200 annual car allowance.
- His contract also includes performance incentives — like for winning the SEC championship.
Context: The move comes after a rough season for the Razorbacks. Head coach Sam Pittman fired first-year offensive coordinator Dan Enos in October, the day after a 7-3 home loss to Mississippi State.
- Of note: Enos was to make $1.1 million in his first year on the job.
- The university highlighted Petrino’s success during his time as head coach at Arkansas. He led the program to a 34-17 mark in four seasons. Arkansas’ 2011 team finished 11-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State to end the year ranked No. 5 in the AP poll — the highest an Arkansas team has finished since 1977, according to the news release.
Yes, but: Petrino was fired in 2012 after hiring a woman with whom he was in a romantic relationship, which came to light after an infamous motorcycle accident with her as the passenger. The scandal rocked Arkansas.
- Petrino initially lied in public statements, saying he was alone during the accident, which occurred about 20 miles southeast of Fayetteville.
- Petrino also gifted the employee, former volleyball player Jessica Dorrell, with $20,000, which he did not disclose.
Flashback: After Arkansas, the coach moved on to a head coaching position at Western Kentucky University. About 14 months later, in 2014, he returned to the University of Louisville for the third time — he’d been both offensive coordinator and head coach there previously.
- In 2020, Petrino was named head coach of Missouri State University, where he remained through the 2022 season.
- He spent this past season as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M but wasn’t retained by the Aggies’ new head coach, Mike Elko.
What he’s saying: “It’s something I hoped would happen,” Petrino told ESPN. “Wasn’t sure if it ever would, but it is a dream come true to be able to go back to the University of Arkansas and do anything I possibly can to make it right this time.”
- “I’m grateful to Coach [Sam] Pittman and [athletic director] Hunter Yurachek for making it happen.”
Mixed feelings about Petrino’s hiring
Petrino was the top sports story in the nation Wednesday if X, formerly called Twitter, is an indicator.
- Fans desperate for the football program to improve — and start winning — largely posted favorable comments.
- Yes, but: Others see the appointment as a potentially slippery ethical slope.
Of note: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette even launched a reader poll to take the state’s temperature.
What they’re saying:
- “All hail Bobby Petrino!!!!! Welcome back!!! National title next year!!!” Arkansas native and radio/TV personality Bobby Bones.
- “I am not judging him for his personal indiscretion. That’s not relevant. I’m reflecting on the events that led to his termination. No other state employee would get a second chance, which is why Petrino required a waiver.” — Blake Rutherford, lawyer and a chief of staff for former Arkansas Attorney General Dustin Blake McDaniel.
The bottom line: Petrino in his tweet invoked the memory of beloved former Hogs quarterback, No. 15 Ryan Mallett, who died earlier this year.
Our thought bubble: Expectations are super high. Anything short of a national championship next season may mean harsh consequences for head coach Sam Pittman — if not by UA athletics, then by the Razorback Nation.
