Petrino rejoins Razorbacks as offensive coordinator

FAYETTEVILLE — Bobby Petrino, the blast from the past, began his second stint with the University of Arkansas football program with a pull on the heart strings.

Early Wednesday, Petrino posted a picture of himself and former UA quarterback Ryan Mallett, who died in June, on the social media platform X standing on a sideline during his tenure as head coach at Arkansas. Accompanying the picture, Petrino wrote, “It’s you and me 15. Proud to be coming home. Now let’s bring the Hogs a Championship!!”

Mallett, who wore the No. 15 at Arkansas, led the Razorbacks to their only Bowl Championship Series berth in 2010 with a Sugar Bowl appearance against Ohio State in Petrino’s third season at Arkansas.

Petrino was hired back by fourth-year Coach Sam Pittman on Tuesday as his third offensive coordinator in as many years.

The UA made his hiring official just before noon Wednesday after an evening filled with anticipation of his return largely stoked a fan base that had been disappointed by the Razorbacks’ 4-8 season.

Petrino signed a 27-month agreement Wednesday that will pay him will pay him $350,000 for his first three months on the job through February 2024, followed by $1.5 million in his first season and then $1.6 million in his second season.

Because he was fired for cause by then-Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long in April 2012, Petrino’s hiring had to be vetted by UA officials, including Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek, and approved by UA President Donald Bobbitt.

“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 Pittman and Hunter Yurachek for making it happen.”

Petrino guided Arkansas to a 34-17 record between 2008-11, the program’s biggest two-year peak in decades with a high-powered offense that struck fear in many opponents.

However, Petrino was fired after a motorcycle wreck on April 1, 2012, revealed recently hired staff member Jessica Dorrell was with him and an investigation showed he was having an extramarital affair with her.

Petrino served as head coach at Western Kentucky, Louisville and Missouri State since then and spent the 2023 season as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.

Petrino told ESPN that many of his former players at Arkansas have reached out since news of his return to Arkansas came out.

“I’m more excited than anything, just to be able to go back and give back to all the great people of Arkansas,” Petrino told ESPN. “I can’t do anything about the past, but I know how hard Coach Pittman and his coaches have worked. It was great to see when he first got there and the way he changed the culture and then had that good season his second year [9-4 in 2021] and won the bowl game.