Arkansas OC Bobby Petrino: I Want to 'Make It Right This Time' After 2012 Firing

Bobby Petrino is ready for his second chance at Arkansas, this time as the offensive coordinator.

"It's something I hoped would happen," he said Wednesday when discussing a return to the Razorbacks, per ESPN's Chris Low. "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."

Petrino was the head coach at Arkansas for four seasons from 2008 through 2011. While he went 5-7 in his first season, the team quickly improved and went 8-5 in his second, 10-3 in his third and 11-2 in his fourth.

Those last two years included a Sugar Bowl appearance and Cotton Bowl win and remain the last time the program reached double-digit wins in a season.

However, as Low noted, he was fired for cause after a motorcycle crash led to the reveal he was involved in an extramarital affair with a female staffer he hired for the football program. Then-athletic director Jeff Long said he lied to school officials during the ensuing investigation, which led to his firing as the head coach despite the success on the field.

Since then, the Razorbacks have turned to John Smith, Brett Bielema, Chad Morris and Pittman as head coach, none of whom reached the level of success that Petrino did during his tenure.

Arkansas was an ugly 4-8 in 2023 and turned to the past in an effort to improve the future with this hire.

"I've always been a Razorback fan and rooted for them and know how hard this last season has been for all of them, so when Coach Pittman had the idea of me coming back, I was immediately interested," the new offensive coordinator said. "Like I said, it was almost a dream."

Petrino has bounced around some following his first stint at Arkansas and was the head coach at Western Kentucky, Louisville and the FCS' Missouri State. He was also the offensive coordinator for Texas A&M in 2022.

The Razorbacks need a boost after a disappointing season that saw them go 1-7 in the SEC, and Petrino is excited to provide one for them.