Arkansas Football: Bobby Petrino Releases Statement

After University of Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long announced the firing of head coach Bobby Petrino at a press conference on Tuesday night, Petrino responded by releasing a statement. 

In his statement, Petrino apologizes for his actions, stating:

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The simplest response I have is: I’m sorry. These two words seem very inadequate. But that is my heart. All I have been able to think about is the number of people I’ve let down by making selfish decisions. I’ve taken a lot of criticism in the past. Some deserved, some not deserved. This time, I have no one to blame but myself. I chose to engage in an improper relationship. I also made several poor decisions following the end of that relationship and in the aftermath of the accident. I accept full responsibility for what has happened.

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Coach Petrino also discussed how he placed Long in a position of having to sort through his mistakes and make difficult decisions and talked about the level of hurt he had caused his wife and children and the damage he had caused others with his poor choices. 

Petrino continued: "My sole focus at this point is trying to repair the damage I’ve done to my family. They did not ask for any of this and deserve better. I am committed to being a better husband, father and human being as a result of this and will work each and every day to prove that to my family, friends and others."

Long has placed assistant coach Taver Johnson as the interim head coach through spring training. It is unknown who will be considered for the head coaching position for the 2012-2013 season at this time.