Petrino reportedly fired as Arkansas football coach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas fired football coach Bobby Petrino on Tuesday, according to an ESPN report.

The reported move comes after Petrino failed to disclose that a 25-year-old female employee of the football program was with him when he crashed his motorcycle April 1.

The 51-year-old, who is married with four children, admitted to a "previous inappropriate relationship" in a public apology for trying to hide the fact that Jessica Dorrell was with him at the time.

A press conference was due to be held later Tuesday at which Razorbacks athletic director Jeff Long was expected to announce Petrino would no longer serve as coach.

Dorrell was unhurt in the wreck, but Petrino suffered serious injuries, including a cracked vertebrae and four broken ribs.

Dorrell, who is reportedly engaged to the school's director of swimming and diving operations, was hired in March by Petrino as a student-athlete development coordinator.

Petrino was entering his fifth season as coach of the Razorbacks, with the team going 21-5 over the past two years.

http://www.arkansassports360.com/30678/statement-from-former-arkansas-razorback-coach-bobby-petrino

Statement From Former Arkansas Razorback Coach Bobby Petrino
by Chris Bahn

4/10/2012 at 9:02pm

Former Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino issued a statement through his agent, following his termination at Arkansas. Below is that statement:

I was informed in writing today at 5:45 p.m. that I was being terminated as head football coach at the University of Arkansas.

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.

I chose to engage in an improper relationship. I also made several poor decisions following the end of that relationship and in the aftermath of the accident. I accept full responsibility for what has happened.

I’m sure you heard Jeff Long’s reasons for termination. There was a lot of information shared. Given the decision that has been made, this is not the place to debate Jeff’s view of what happened. In the end, I put him in the position of having to sort through my mistakes and that is my fault.

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. As a result of my personal mistakes, we will not get to finish our goal of building a championship program. I wish that I had been given the opportunity to meet with the players and staff prior to this evening’s press conference and hope that I will be given the opportunity to give my apologies and say my goodbyes in person. We have left the program in better shape than we found it and I want the Razorback Nation to know that it is my hope that the program achieves the success it deserves.

My sole focus at this point is trying to repair the damage I’ve done to my family. They did not ask for any of this and deserve better. I am committed to being a better husband, father and human being as a result of this and will work each and every day to prove that to my family, friends and others.

I love football. I love coaching. I of course hope I can find my way back to the profession I love. In the meantime, I will do everything I can to heal the wounds I have created.

I want to thank Chancellor Gearhart, Jeff Long, the Board of Trustees, the University administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni and fans for the opportunity to serve as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas for the past 4 years. I was not given an opportunity to continue in that position. I wish that had been the case, but that was not my decision. I wish nothing but the best for the Razorback football program, the University and the entire Razorback Nation.

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