Bobby Petrino Resigns as Falcons HC, hired at Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Barely 24 hours after another blowout loss with the Atlanta Falcons, Bobby Petrino was back in college football.
Petrino was hired Tuesday by Arkansas, capping a whirlwind day in which he stunningly resigned from the Falcons after just 13 games. Petrino succeeds Houston Nutt, who stepped down at Arkansas two weeks ago and became the head coach at Mississippi.
"Today was a day of decision," Petrino said at a late-night news conference in Fayetteville. "It was difficult on one side, very easy on the other. It was difficult to leave Atlanta, the staff, players, fans. The timing of it probably is the thing that made it most difficult. Coming to Arkansas was the easy part."
Petrino got a five-year deal worth $2.85 million per year to take over the Razorbacks, according to an athletic department spokesman.
In January, Petrino left as head coach at Louisville to take over in Atlanta, agreeing to a five-year, $24 million contract handed out by a team that felt he could help Michael Vick reach his full potential.
However, the star quarterback came under investigation for a grisly dogfighting operation that led him to plead guilty to federal charges.
On Monday, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison without ever taking a snap for Petrino. That night the Falcons lost to New Orleans 34-14, and hours later Petrino left the team with a 3-10 record to return to the college ranks. Names already being thrown around to replace Petrino are Jacksonville Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith, Ravens Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan, Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett, and even Ohio State Coach Jim Tressil. Atlanta wants to make their move ASAP, so expect an announcement in the next 72 hours.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Barely 24 hours after another blowout loss with the Atlanta Falcons, Bobby Petrino was back in college football.
Petrino was hired Tuesday by Arkansas, capping a whirlwind day in which he stunningly resigned from the Falcons after just 13 games. Petrino succeeds Houston Nutt, who stepped down at Arkansas two weeks ago and became the head coach at Mississippi.
"Today was a day of decision," Petrino said at a late-night news conference in Fayetteville. "It was difficult on one side, very easy on the other. It was difficult to leave Atlanta, the staff, players, fans. The timing of it probably is the thing that made it most difficult. Coming to Arkansas was the easy part."
Petrino got a five-year deal worth $2.85 million per year to take over the Razorbacks, according to an athletic department spokesman.
In January, Petrino left as head coach at Louisville to take over in Atlanta, agreeing to a five-year, $24 million contract handed out by a team that felt he could help Michael Vick reach his full potential.
However, the star quarterback came under investigation for a grisly dogfighting operation that led him to plead guilty to federal charges.
On Monday, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison without ever taking a snap for Petrino. That night the Falcons lost to New Orleans 34-14, and hours later Petrino left the team with a 3-10 record to return to the college ranks. Names already being thrown around to replace Petrino are Jacksonville Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith, Ravens Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan, Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett, and even Ohio State Coach Jim Tressil. Atlanta wants to make their move ASAP, so expect an announcement in the next 72 hours.
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