Bobby Petrino Returns to Arkansas: A Journey of Redemption and Second Chances
In a stunning turn of events, Bobby Petrino, the much-decorated yet controversial figure in college football, is reportedly on the verge of returning to Arkansas as its offensive coordinator. ESPN’s Chris Low broke the news, citing sources close to the matter. This development followed Pete Thamel’s report stating that the university was discussing with Petrino, the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.
Petrino previously served as Arkansas’ head coach from 2009 to 2012, delivering a respectable 51-34 record with victories in the Liberty and Cotton Bowls. However, his tenure was overshadowed by a scandal that resulted in his dismissal.
The saga unfolded when Petrino, who was involved in a motorcycle accident in Crosses, Arkansas, in 2012, initially denied having his mistress and then-employee, Jessica Dorrell, on the motorcycle with him. The story took a dramatic turn when Petrino admitted to his deceit and revealed that he had hired Dorrell to work in the athletics department after gifting her $20,000, a fact he had not disclosed to university officials.
Arkansas’ then-athletic director, Jeff Long, described Petrino’s actions as a “pattern of misleading and manipulative behavior” and placed him on administrative leave. The university subsequently fired Petrino on April 10, 2012, citing his consistent deceit as the main reason for his dismissal.
However, Petrino’s undeniable talent as a football coach was not lost on Long, who maintained that his firing was due to his lies, not his extramarital affair. Petrino’s coaching skills were evident when he returned to Arkansas in 2019 to address the Little Rock Touchdown Club, where he publicly apologized for his past actions and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
A year-long hiatus marked Petrino’s journey post-Arkansas before he took up the head coaching position at Western Kentucky in 2013. He then returned to Louisville for a second stint from 2014 to 2018 before being dismissed after a string of losses. Petrino turned his career around with a successful spell at Missouri State, leading the Bears to the FCS playoffs for the first time in a decade.
In 2023, Petrino was hired by UNLV’s head coach, Barry Odom as his offensive coordinator. However, his tenure at UNLV was brief as he was lured away after a month to work under Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher. Fisher’s subsequent dismissal and Mike Elko‘s appointment as head coach set the stage for Petrino’s surprising yet consequential return to Arkansas.
Petrino’s return to Arkansas signifies a story of redemption and second chances. How his second stint at the university will unfold remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Bobby Petrino is back in the game and ready to make his mark again.
