The Bobby Petrino Situation--what next for the Razorbacks?

One does not need to be born in Arkansas to know Razorback football is big news most of the time. It is also big business. Thus I am as saddened as anyone to learn of Head Coach Bobby Petrino’s motorcycle accident and the events preceding and succeeding it. Radio, TV, newspapers and just about everyone has been talking about it.

I am not going to judge Coach Petrino’s actions – there is plenty of that going around without me weighing in.

I am, however, very concerned about the players, remaining coaches, backers, fans, and the University of Arkansas as a whole. I understand the search has already started for the next head coach.

In the meanwhile, the public seems to be lining up to take sides over Petrino’s firing. There is no doubt Bobby Petrino is an effective coach. He proved it several times, culminating in taking U of A to the Cotton Bowl earlier this year. Hopes were running high for even more successes in the near future. So it is easy to understand why many fans hoped a way could be found to retain Coach Petrino.

Another group of fans and the public felt honesty, integrity, living up to one’s contracts, and upholding the prestige of the university were of the utmost priority. Ultimately, the university leaders took this position and Bobby Petrino was fired. Fallout today has the young lady resigning her position at the U of A, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital canceling their Bobby Petrino Charity Golf Classic (originally scheduled for June), and the University getting two separate donations totaling $1.25 million for “doing the right thing”.

A sad situation.