FAYETTEVILLE--Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles revealed Tuesday night that his new office would be located just south of the Razorback Foundation building, with a museum included and a skybox overlooking Baum Stadium.

As fate would have it, a UA reception honoring Broyles for his 50 years of service to the school began at 5 p.m., just as ESPN was breaking the news that Bobby Petrino had resigned as the Atlanta Falcons coach and would likely be Arkansas' next coach.

Broyles spoke during the two-hour reception in the Mitchell Room of the Broyles Center, but said later he had been unaware of ESPN's announcement.

Most others at the reception seemed unaware that the news conference to announce the hiring of the new coach had been scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Tuesday -- an unusually late time for such an event. Many left the reception thinking the conference would be held today.

Broyles thanked supporters and said, "The future of the Razorbacks is in good hands. The road has been well-paved by Razorback fans."

Afterwards, UA board member Jim Lindsey confirmed that Broyles' new office will be located 30 feet south of the Razorback Foundation structure, with a sidewalk separating the two.

Broyles explained, "I help with recruiting so much that the coaches wanted me to have a place to greet the recruits."

Broyles, who will turn 83 this month, will become athletic director emeritus on Jan. 1. He reportedly has retained an agent to help him land a few college football TV analysis gigs and perhaps help schedule some motivational speeches. Broyles will also continue to help the Alzheimers Foundation.

Arkansas chancellor John White, who attended the reception, seemed happy that the UA coaching search was nearing an end.

"Jeff Long (UA athletic director-designate) is an amazing individual," White said. "I don't think the word setback is in his vocabulary. He has been undaunted."

White noted that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had told him it took Jones 11 interviews to hire current Cowboys coach Wade Phillips.

"I tried to keep everything calm," White said. "Jeff interviewed some fine candidates, including some the public didn't know about. This hasn't reminded me of our basketball search, because I was confident we could get the ball across the goal line. I know everyone involved sure wanted it (the news conference) to happen tonight (Tuesday)."