OC Petrino on Hogs return: Goal ‘to make it best’

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterNov 29, 2023, 02:29 PM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

Only in his dreams did Bobby Petrino think he ‘d ever go back to Arkansas to coach football. More than a years after being fired as head coach for cause, however, he’s returning as the Hogs’ offending organizer.

“It’s something I hoped would take place. Wasn’t sure if it ever would, but it is a dream come true to be able to return to the University of Arkansas and do anything I perhaps can to make it right this time,” Petrino told ESPN on Wednesday. “I’m grateful to coach [Sam] Pittman and [athletic director] Hunter Yurachek for making it take place.”

Petrino, as Arkansas’ head coach from 2008 to 2011, assisted the Razorbacks to their most effective two-season stretch since the Frank Broyles days in the 1960s. The Hogs won 10 games in 2010 and 11 games in 2011 and capped that season with a Cotton Bowl victory and No. 5 ranking in the final polls.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated It’s the

only time given that

Arkansas joined the SEC in 1992 that it had assembled back-to-back winning records (6-2) in SEC league play.But that next April, a motorcycle crash including Petrino revealed an extramarital affair he was having with a female staffer that he had actually worked with in the football workplace. After an investigation, Petrino was fired for cause when then-athletic director Jeff Long stated Petrino lied to school authorities during the process.Petrino understands that much will be made about his unsightly exit now that he’s back

, but he informed ESPN that he sees this as a chance to assist make amends to all individuals he let down.” I’m more fired up than anything, simply to be able to go back and return to all the fantastic

people of Arkansas, “Petrino said.”I can’t do anything about the past, however I know how hard Coach Pittman and his coaches have actually worked. It was fantastic to see when he first arrived and the way he altered the culture and then had that great season his second year (9-4 in 2021) and won the championship game.”I have actually always been a Razorback fan and rooted for them and know how hard this last season has actually been for all of them, so when Coach Pittman had the idea of me returning, I was right away interested. Like I said, it was almost a dream.”He will make $ 1.5 million for the 2024 season and$ 1.6 million for the 2025 season as part of the deal that runs through February 2026. There are likewise performance incentives for such things as SEC championships, College Football Playoff looks and particular bowl looks that might contribute to his yearly salary.Petrino stated he’s spoken with several of the players he coached at Arkansas, that makes his return all the more real for him. He repeated that, as he sets foot back on campus, his thoughts will be entirely on helping Pittman return the Hogs to nationwide importance.”When I reflect on the terrific teams we had, I consider the players and the toughness and pride they displayed in being a Razorback, and I’m anticipating helping influence our guys to have fun with that exact same

sort of passion, energy and durability,” Petrino said.”I understand this will be a little various for a great deal of people, however I’m grateful to Coach Pittman for giving me this opportunity and anticipating getting my feet on the ground, walking into the center and seeing everybody. It’s time to get it cranked up. “Tyler Wilson played quarterback under Petrino and stays Arkansas’ leader in passing lawns. Wilson, who played 3 seasons in the NFL, stated Petrino’s return will stimulate not simply the football program

, however the entire state. “There’s been a lot of misery amongst the whole Arkansas fan base the last couple of years, “Wilson said.” However as quickly as it came out that Bobby Petrino was coming back, my phone right away began blowing up.

You’re visiting season tickets increase, and it rapidly alters the mentality of the Arkansas fan base. “Wilson stated there ‘d be some individuals, inside and outside the Arkansas family, who will be critical of the hiring, however he hopes this reunion will ease some of the humiliation, suffering and dissatisfaction of Petrino’s untidy exit.”

There was a lot pain after his dismissal, and it wasn’t simply our group, however the state in basic, “Wilson stated. “I felt like we never ever completely healed after all that and it had actually almost been like a sticking around ghost. Some may still question if

this is the right fit structurally, and that’s to be determined. But definitely there’s going to be a great deal of wouldas, couldas and shouldas that will be vetted out now. “Petrino, who will be the Hogs’ third different full-time offensive coordinator in the previous three years, will be in charge of an offense that scored 22 or less points in six of its last seven SEC games.He spent this past season as the Texas A&M offensive planner however wasn’t retained by brand-new coach Mike Elko. Given that his shooting at Arkansas, he has actually been head coach at Western Kentucky, Louisville and at FCS

Missouri State.