Petrino Hired To Lead Razorbacks
Former Falcons Coach Introduced Tuesday Night
Last updated Wednesday, December 12, 2007 9:43 AM CST in News
By Alex Abrams
THE MORNING NEWS
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FAYETTEVILLE -- Incoming Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long finally found a football coach eager to replace Houston Nutt.
And Long made sure there was no chance for former Atlanta Falcons coach Bobby Petrino to have a last-minute change of heart.
Long flew to Atlanta on Tuesday with a contract for Petrino to sign, and the two returned to Fayetteville in time for a 10:30 p.m. news conference to introduce Petrino as Arkansas' new coach.
Petrino confirmed he signed a contract with the Razorbacks only a few hours after he informed Falcons officials he was abruptly resigning after less than one season as a head coach in the National Football League.
"Today was a day of decision," Petrino said. "It was difficult on one side and very easy on the other."
Sources close to the situation said Petrino called the university Tuesday afternoon to say he'd like to talk about replacing Nutt.
A few hours later, Petrino caught the Falcons by surprise when he resigned with three games remaining in the regular season to accept the Arkansas job.
"It was one of the most difficult things I've had to do," Petrino said.
Long and Arkansas' associate general counsel Scott Varady immediately flew to Atlanta get Petrino to sign the contract to replace Nutt.
Petrino, who was in the first year of a five-year, $24.5 million contract with the Falcons, will take a significant pay cut to return to the college ranks. The former University of Louisville head coach will make around $2.85 million annually to coach the Razorbacks, sources said.
The Razorback Foundation board approved Petrino's financial package during a conference call Tuesday.
The board also likely approved additional money for Petrino to hire coordinators and assistants since his Falcons staff is not expected to join him in Fayetteville.
When Petrino arrived at Tuesday night's news conference, he was greeted by loud cheers and a standing ovation from the large crowd who came out to get a first glimpse of the university new football coach.
He received another standing ovation when he put a red Razorbacks baseball cap on after being introduced by Long. His remarks of having a balanced, aggressive offense were also greeted with loud cheers from the crowd.
"I am very proud to be your head coach," Petrino said. "I can't wait to run through the "A" as a head coach."
Arkansas defensive coordiantor Reggie Herring was named the school's interim head coach after Nutt resigned, and he will still coach the Razorbacks against No. 7 Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1.
Herring informed Arkansas' players after Tuesday's evening practice a new coach would be named that night.
"Obviously, there will be a new coach here, and this team will be ready," Herring said. "Jeff Long has done a tremendous job in the search. I think he's got a tremendous candidate, and these players deserve a good coach."
Herring declined to comment whether he would like to remain at the university with a position on Petrino's staff.
Petrino is Long's first hire as Arkansas' athletic director, though he doesn't officially assume the position until Frank Broyles retires at the end of the month.
"It's a great hire, it's a home run by Jeff Long," ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad said. "Petrino is an offensive innovator, as well as an effective intimidator."
Petrino is known for being a strict disciplinarian, as well an offensive coach who can develop quarterbacks and uses the passing game.
He was proven winner during his time at Louisville, going 41-9 and leading the Cardinals to a 12-1 record and a win over Wake Forest University in the Orange Bowl in 2006.
Petrino appeared to be out of the mix to replace Nutt.
Petrino told Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Monday afternoon he would be back in 2008 to coach the Falcons. Petrino reassued Blank on the same day former Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was sentensed to 23 monhts in prison on dogfighting charges.
Petrino struggled in his only season in the NFL, falling to 3-10 after an embarrassing 34-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
Petrino's hire ends nearly three weeks of uncertainty that began when Nutt resigned Nov. 26, three days after the Razorbacks pulled out a 50-48 triple-overtime win at then-No. 1 Lousiana State University.
Reports that Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville was headed to Arkansas spread on the Internet and on TV late last month.
Then, Tommy Bowden decided on the morning of Dec. 4 to remain at Clemson University despite seriously considering leaving to accept a deal worth around $2.5 million annually to coach the Razorbacks.
And Arkansas' coaching search hit another snag three days later when Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe had a change of heart at the last minute and turned down a deal to replace Nutt.
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