Bobby Petrino returning to Arkansas as offensive coordinator 11 years after being fired as head coach

The 2023 college football season has not even finished yet, but the madness within the coaching carousel has already begun.

One of the latest topics within it was the possibility of Bobby Petrino returning to Arkansas as the offensive coordinator more than 11 years after he was fired as the team's head coach.

According to a report from ESPN's Chris Low, Petrino has agreed to a return and the deal is being finalized. Petrino won 10 games in 2010 and 11 in 2011.

Petrino himself confirmed the news with a social media post Wednesday morning that included a picture of him with the late Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett from his initial stint with the school. 

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

MORE: Tracking every FBS coaching change for 2023

How Bobby Petrino is returning to Arkansas

ESPN's Pete Thamel initially reported Tuesday that Arkansas was "vetting hiring former head coach Bobby Petrino as the school's next offensive coordinator" and that Petrino had "indicated in the recruiting space that he's in the mix for an SEC coordinator job."

"Vetting" was a notable choice of words considering Petrino's history in Fayetteville. 

After four seasons as head coach in which the Razorbacks' record improved each year, the school fired Petrino with cause in April 2012 after he hired his mistress to a position within the staff, lying to then-athletic director. That included deception both about the improper relationship and her being present at the motorcycle accident that brought the relationship to light.

"He made the decision, a conscious decision, to mislead the public on Tuesday, and in doing so negatively and adversely affected the reputation of the University of Arkansas and our football program," Long said at a news conference discussing the coach's dismissal. "In short, 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."

With Thamel's report, the question became whether Arkansas can legally re-hire Petrino at all. 

The University or Arkansas system has had a policy in place since May 2013 that states that individuals who have “been dismissed for cause…shall not be eligible for re-employment” within the system. Later a revised version was adopted on Nov. 22, 2019.

Best of Arkansas Sports confirmed with the school's Office of General Counsel that this provision would still apply to Petrino.

The exception was granted by UA System President Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt would have to approve it.

Bobby Petrino contract details

Petrino will make $1.35 million in 2024, in $1.6 million in 2025 and 2026. His contract also includes a country club membership.

Here's a look at the full details:

Bobby Petrino will be paid $1.6 million annually as part of a two-year deal as Arkansas' offensive coordinator. He will be paid $350K for working Dec. 3 through Feb. 28, 2024.

He gets a country club membership, 8 tickets to home football games and $7,200 in car allowance.… pic.twitter.com/DRtolBa8mr

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) November 29, 2023

Bobby Petrino coaching record

In all of his combined stints as a college head coach, Petrino's overall record sits at 137-71. He also spent most of the 2007 season as the Falcons' head coach, going 3-10 before resigning and eventually returning to the college ranks at Arkansas the next season. 

Petrino spent last season as the Texas A&M offensive coordinator with a unit that ranked 53rd in total offense (403.8), 87th in rushing offense (141.4), 41st in passing offense (262.3) and 25th in scoring offense (34.2).