Arkansas Fires Football Coach Bobby Petrino

University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long fired Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino on Tuesday (April 10) citing “cause for termination.”

Petrino has been at the root of a scandal for not disclosing details of a motorcycle accident more than a week ago that involved a 25-year old football program employee, Jessica Dorrell.

Initially, Petrino said he was alone in the wreck, but details from an Arkansas State Police report noted that Dorrell was also involved. Upon learning of the non-disclosure, Long placed Petrino on paid leave and conducted a review.

On Tuesday, Long said he had completed his review and that his findings led him to terminate Petrino’s contract.

Long cited an improper $20,000 payment made to Dorrell by Petrino and apparent favoritism in her hiring over 158 other employees that applied for her athletic department job.

“Coach Petrino engaged in a pattern of misleading and manipulative behavior designed to deceive me and members of the athletic staff both before and after the motorcycle accident,” Long said at a press conference on Tuesday night.

“Coach Petrino’s behavior was contrary to the character and responsibility we demand of our head football coach,” Long said. “Our expectations of character and integrity in our employees can be no less than what we expect of our students. No single individual is bigger than the team.”

Long said assistant coach Taver Johnson would serve as interim coach while a replacement for Petrino is sought. He indicated that he would begin the hiring process immediately, but noted he may be forced to hire an interim coach through the regular football season.

Former Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino issued a statement after Long’s press conference, which read:

I was informed in writing today at 5:45 p.m. that I was being terminated as head football coach at the University of Arkansas.

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.

I’m sure you heard Jeff Long’s reasons for termination. There was a lot of information shared. Given the decision that has been made, this is not the place to debate Jeff’s view of what happened. In the end, I put him in the position of having to sort through my mistakes and that is my fault.

I have hurt my wife Becky and our four children. I’ve let down the University of Arkansas, my team, coaching staff and everyone associated with the Razorback football program. As a result of my personal mistakes, we will not get to finish our goal of building a championship program. I wish that I had been given the opportunity to meet with the players and staff prior to this evening’s press conference and hope that I will be given the opportunity to give my apologies and say my goodbyes in person. We have left the program in better shape than we found it and I want the Razorback Nation to know that it is my hope that the program achieves the success it deserves.

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.

I love football. I love coaching. I of course hope I can find my way back to the profession I love. In the meantime, I will do everything I can to heal the wounds I have created.

I want to thank Chancellor Gearhart, Jeff Long, the Board of Trustees, the University administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni and fans for the opportunity to serve as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas for the past 4 years. I was not given an opportunity to continue in that position. I wish that had been the case, but that was not my decision. I wish nothing but the best for the Razorback football program, the University and the entire Razorback Nation.