Petrino Out at Arkansas

By April 10, 2012

Bobby Petrino is out as Arkansas’ football coach.

Director of Athletics Jeff Long announced the decision Tuesday night to terminate Petrino’s contract effective immediately after a five-day review of Petrino’s April 1 motorcycle accident and the revelation that Petrino withheld information about a 25-year old female passenger to protect from a “inappropriate relationship” becoming known.

“The process and circumstances that led him to hire her (Dorrell),” Long said. “and that coach Petrino knowingly misled the UA in findings about the accident. That constitutes a violation of university rules.”

Petrino was hired as the Razorbacks’ head coach on December 11, 2007 and was entering his fifth-season with the Hogs.

The 51-year-old coach went 34-17 in his four seasons at Arkansas and led the Razorbacks to a 2-1 bowl record and the program’s first BCS bowl game.

In his last two seasons, Petrino guided the Hogs to a 21-5 record, the first back-to-back double-digit win seasons since 1964-1965.

“Coach Petrino abused his authority over the past few weeks and jeopardized the football program,” Long said.

  • Scott

    Back to the bottom of the SEC

  • Tyler

    I’m proud of my institution today. Thank you, Arkansas, for making the only rational, honest decision. 

  • Jeremy

    It was the right decision.  The hiring of Dorrell, given Petrino’s hidden relationship with her, made it impossible to keep him here.  All the other stuff could have possibly been overlooked.  This was directly tied to his job and opened up the university to significant damage.

    Long sacrificed the university’s best chance at a national championship this coming year.

    Long summoned the courage of his conviction to do that.

    No one has sufficient ground to criticize the decision to fire Petrino.

  • Juana

    Long suggested that there is something more important than winning. Oh My!  There is something more important than money. Seriously??? And something more impressive than fame and pretty women. It’s leadership. It’s hard to be a real leader. Bravo Long.