The University of Arkansas has fired Bobby Petrino, 51, as head football coach, according to the school’s athletics director on Tuesday. Jeff Long told reporters that Petrino’s lack of candor about his “personal and professional relationship” with a female employee who was riding with him on a motorcycle that crashed earlier this month was key to the school’s decision. At a news conference, Long said, “Coach Petrino knowingly misled the athletics department and the university about the circumstances related to his accident.” Petrino had “multiple opportunities” over four days after the accident to speak up, but “he chose not to.”
Last week, Petrino was placed on paid administrative leave after it was revealed he had not disclosed that Jessica Dorrell, a 25-year-old female member of his staff, was on his motorcycle with him when it crashed on April 1, and that she was given unfairly favorable treatment in hiring her on his staff. Since Petrino was fired with cause, the university is not obliged to pay out his contract, Long said. In a statement on Tuesday night, Petrino said, “The simplest response I have is: I’m sorry. These two words seem very inadequate. But that is my heart. All I have been able to think about is the number of people I’ve let down by making selfish decisions. I’ve taken a lot of criticism in the past. Some deserved, some not deserved. This time, I have no one to blame but myself.” He continued and said, “I have hurt my wife, Becky, and our four children. I’ve let down the University of Arkansas, my team, coaching staff and everyone associated with the Razorback football program.”
