Former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino, who spent last season as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator, is returning to Fayetteville to become the Razorbacks’ new offensive coordinator under Sam Pittman, the school announced on Wednesday.
Petrino also announced the hiring himself on Wednesday morning ahead of the school’s official release, which included a picture of him with late quarterback Ryan Mallett, who he coached with the Razorbacks.
It’s you and me 15. Proud to be coming home. Now let’s bring the Hogs a Championship!! 🐗 #WooPig pic.twitter.com/PCYA2iuHbs
— Bobby Petrino (@CoachBPetrino) November 29, 2023
Petrino will earn $1.35 million before incentives to run the Razorbacks offense.
Petrino spent four seasons as Arkansas’s head coach from 2008-’11, and went 34-17 leading the program. Petrino was fired after an 11-2 season in ’11 after an internal investigation revealed that he was having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a member of the football staff.
Now, more than 10 years removed from the scandal that lost him his job, he returns to Fayetteville to help revive an Arkansas offense that fell well short of expectations this season. While Pittman retained his job as coach, an influx of offense is needed heading into next season if the Razorbacks want to improve upon their 4-8 record.
Petrino is still viewed by many in the industry as a top offensive mind, as exhibited by his hire last offseason at Texas A&M. However, it is unclear how much oversight and input Petrino had in the Aggies’ struggling offense last season, given recently fired coach Jimbo Fisher’s stranglehold over the system.
With the unexpected opportunity back at the school where he was once the head coach, Petrino will have a chance to prove that he’s still one of the top offensive coordinators in the FBS.
If he can’t replicate his past success calling an offense, it may lead to Pittman’s demise at Arkansas.
