FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bobby Petrino is reuniting with the Arkansas Razorbacks after officially being named the program's newest offensive coordinator on Wednesday.
The university welcomed Petrino back to the program this week through an announcement online.
The initial speculation began as Petrino changed the location on his X profile to Fayetteville and posted a video of his grandchild calling the Hogs.
Petrino, who led the Razorbacks from 2008 to 2011, most recently coached on Jimbo Fisher's staff as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M — beating Arkansas 34-22 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 30.
The Aggies dealt with a handful of injuries on offense during the 2023 season, including a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Conner Weigman four games in. Despite being short-handed, Texas A&M ranked fifth in the SEC in points per game (34.17) and eighth in yards per game (403.75).
As the head coach at Arkansas, Petrino put together a 34-17 overall record, reached the Sugar Bowl in 2010 and won the Cotton Bowl in 2011 with an 11-2 mark and a No. 5 finish in the final national rankings.
Petrino has a vast coaching resume, which includes stops at FCS Missouri State (2020-2022), Louisville (1998, 2003-06, 2014-18), Western Kentucky (2013), Auburn (2002), Utah State (1995-97), Nevada (1994), Arizona State (1992-93) and Idaho (1990-91).
He also has NFL coaching experience, serving as the Atlanta Falcons head coach in 2007 and as an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001.
Although Petrino helped the Razorbacks to their first bowl game in two decades, his time at Arkansas ended abruptly after he was involved in a motorcycle accident with an athletic department staffer on April 1, 2012.
Initially, the university and Petrino said he was the only individual in the accident.
However, an Arkansas State Police report released on April 5, 2012, said Petrino was not alone on the motorcycle at the time of the accident, as he initially said.
Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long announced Petrino's firing five days later as the extramarital affair raised concerns for the university's image.
Petrino joins Pittman's staff to replace Dan Enos, who was "relieved of his duties" after a 7-3 loss to Mississippi State on Oct. 21.
He'll be tasked with retooling an offense that left much to be desired this season, finishing No. 11 in the conference in points (26.58) and yards (139) per game.
Arkansas (4-7, 1-7 SEC) won't play in a bowl game this year for the first time since 2019.