Source: Bobby Petrino has agreed to terms to become Arkansas’ new offensive coordinator
With the hiring of new Texas A&M Football head coach Mike Elko, swift changes would begin as soon as Tuesday, as several assistant coaches who served under then-head coach Jimbo Fisher will not be retained under Elko heading into the 2024 season.
After it was announced that Aggies wide receiver/quarterback coach Dameyune Craig would not be retained under Elko, veteran offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who was hired just one year ago after then-head coach Jimbo Fisher was pressured to turn over the offensive play-calling duties.
Despite minor improvements, in-season issues mounted, specifically quarterback Conner Weigman’s season-ending injury, which destroyed any consistency coupled with horrendous offensive line play. The fact that Petrino will not remain in College Station is no surprise, given Elko’s need to build the staff his image; Petrino’s future might lead him back to his old stomping grounds, the Arkansas Razorbacks.
According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, Arkansas and current head coach Sam Pittman are vetting the situation and hiring Petrino for the same postion with the Razorbacks. As of Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Chris Low has confirmed that Petrino will, in fact, return to Arkansas as the program’s new offensive coordinator.
Bobby Petrino has agreed to return to @RazorbackFB as offensive coordinator and a deal is being finalized, sources tell ESPN. Petrino won 10 games in 2010 and 11 in 2011 as the Hogs’ head coach, but was fired following the motorcycle accident scandal.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) November 28, 2023
In four seasons as Arkansas’s head coach (2008-2011), including several controversial moments, Petrino noted as an offensive guru of his time, led the Razorbacks to a 34-17 overall record, including a Cotton Bowl win after an 11-2 finish in 2011.
With Bobby Petrino’s return to Arkansas, I can only say that the memes will be incredible, and he may save Sam Pittman’s head coaching career.
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