With Arkansas potentially set to move forward under new head coach Alex Golesh, interim head coach and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is taking time to thank Razorback fans for his second chance and for the opportunity to return to the program that defined some of the best years of his coaching career.
Petrino, who stepped in as interim head coach after the firing of Sam Pittman, has been candid about understanding the situation. With the future of the program shifting under new leadership, his own chapter at Arkansas is likely closing.
Thank you, Razorback Nation!! #WPS pic.twitter.com/jI5xi7UqT6
— Bobby Petrino (@CoachBPetrino) November 26, 2025
"No matter how this weekend turns out, my pride in this team won't change. These players showed up, went to work, faced adversity the right way, and stayed committed to each other.Bobby Petrino
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A Short but Meaningful Interim Run
Petrino took over after Pittman was dismissed following a blowout loss to Notre Dame. Athletic director Hunter Yurachek publicly stated he would be considered for the full-time job, but the Razorbacks struggled to find traction. Arkansas is 2–9 overall and 0–7 in the SEC, winless since Petrino took the reins and mired in a nine-game losing streak.
Even so, the respect for Petrino’s football mind has never wavered. If he chooses to continue coaching, there will be suitors. His offensive acumen, experience, and reputation for quarterback development remain highly valued across college football.
A Complicated but Historic First Tenure
Petrino’s first run at Arkansas still stands as the program’s high-water mark in the modern era. From 2008–2011, he posted a 34–17 record, including back-to-back 10-win seasons , the best consecutive stretch the Razorbacks have had this century. His final year ended with a Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State, cementing his standing as the last coach to deliver Arkansas national relevance.
Of course, his departure was overshadowed by scandal. A 2012 motorcycle crash revealed he had hired and maintained an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Former athletic director Jeff Long fired Petrino with cause, citing “a pattern of misleading and manipulative behavior.”
Despite the fallout, many Arkansas fans never forgot the success and many welcomed him back with open arms when he rejoined the staff in 2024.
A Career That Kept Moving Forward
In the years after leaving Fayetteville, Petrino rebuilt his career with head coaching stops at Western Kentucky, Louisville, and Missouri State, compiling a 137–71 overall record. He even nearly upset Arkansas in 2022 while leading Missouri State, a moment that eerily highlighted just how effective his offensive mind remained.
His return to Arkansas brought immediate results on that side of the ball. Under Petrino, the Razorbacks produced back-to-back top-15 offenses in yards per game, giving fans a reminder of the explosive identity that once defined the program. He has developed talent as well as anyone in the program, and he wears his heart on his sleeve for the Razorbacks, appreciating every moment of the opportunity he was given.
A Farewell Filled With Gratitude
While his second tenure wasn’t built for a long run, Petrino made clear that being welcomed back meant more than wins or titles.
As Arkansas prepares for a new chapter under Alex Golesh, Bobby Petrino exits with a complicated legacy but an undeniable impact. His time in Fayetteville may again be ending, but the imprint he leaves behind remains unmistakable.