Bobby Petrino: On leave, in trouble and maybe out of a job
Uneasy rider: Bobby Petrino speaks after the crash but before the confession. (AP photo)
Bobby Petrino has been placed on administrative leave. Ordinarily this is a prelude to getting fired, but Bobby Petrino coaches football in the SEC. And we’re about to see if Arkansas places a higher premium on winning football games — which Petrino has — than on cornball stuff like family values.
Speaking of which: Bobby Petrino first said he’d spent Sunday with his family at a lake before hopping on his motorcycle. If he had, he wouldn’t be on administrative leave.
Turns out Petrino hadn’t been riding alone. Turns out, via the police report, that Petrino had been accompanied by a 25-year-old woman whom he’d just hired as the football team’s “student-athlete development coordinator.” (Memo to would-be cover-uppers: Police reports are pesky things.) Turns out Petrino lied in his first public statements, same as he’d lied to Arthur Blank when he told the Falcons’ owner, “You’ve got yourself a coach” — 27 hours before surfacing in Fayetteville, Ark.
Petrino has since acknowledged an “inappropriate relationship.” Though he, oddly, described it as “previous.” Does that mean it has ended? That true romance took a hike the instant he lost control of the bike? Ah, the vagaries of the human heart.
Of greater concern to athletic director Jeff Long is surely this: Did the coach hire the 25-year-old Jessica Dorrell — a press release was issued just last week — only because of her expertise in “student-athlete development”? (She’d previously been an Arkansas volleyball player and a fundraiser for the Razorback Foundation.) In announcing her appointment, Petrino is quoted as saying: “[Dorrell] is familiar with what the University of Arkansas can offer.”
(In other news, Dorrell reportedly is engaged to the director of operations for the Arkansas swimming and diving team. The wedding date is set for June 9.)
Long moved to put Petrino on leave Thursday night, only hours after the police report was made public and the coach finally came clean to his boss. But there is, in athletic departments housing a major football program, a sort of reverse pecking order: The AD is technically in charge, but the football coach is the bigger deal.
Of all people, Long shouldn’t have been blindsided by such duplicity. He handled the search that resulted in Petrino standing in Fayetteville calling the Hogs on a Tuesday night after coaching the Falcons on a Monday. Rumors of Petrino’s departure had been swirling before the game, prompting Blank to confront Petrino, who offered his handshake assurance he’d be staying. This prompted Blank to tell newsmen he looked forward to the Falcons moving boldly forward under “CEO Bobby Petrino.”
The next day: See ya later, CEO.
The same Petrino infamously interviewed for an Auburn job that wasn’t open in November 2003. He denied any contact with Auburn officials until reporters from the Courier-Journal offered documentation of a private plane registered to the Montgomery bank controlled by the toxic Tigers booster Bobby Lowder landing in Sellersburg, Ind., which sits across the Ohio River from Louisville, where Petrino was then coaching. The backlash was such that Auburn’s president and AD wound up resigning.
But Petrino? He kept coaching the Cardinals, leading them to an 11-1 season in 2004 and an Orange Bowl victory in 2006. He’d signed a 10-year contract to remain at Louisville despite many more flirtations with other schools/teams. Then, in January 2007, he left to coach the Falcons. That lasted 13 games, 10 of them losses. (The Falcons were without Michael Vick.) Then he split for the Ozarks.
In sum: Petrino has long been a selfish jerk, but people keep hiring him because he wins. When it comes to coaches, administrators tend to develop cognitive dissonance: “He’s a jerk, but he’s a winning jerk.”
Long has pledged to conduct a review, but let’s note again: This AD hired Petrino, baggage and all, and has seen him win 21 games over the past two seasons. We’re about to see if Petrino, his belatedly admitted indiscretion aside, can deploy his won-lost record as the ultimate defense. We’re about to see if a bad guy gets to keep his job just because he’s a good coach.
By Mark Bradley
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412 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
11:19 am
nah evil idiot
The real Fulmer points are earned at Auburn and LSU with felonies
“34% of all of the male inmates in the Louisiana Correctional System are former LSU athletes.”
We just get caught riding mopeds
Auburn and LSU do home invasions and destroy bars and restaurants
RiffRaff
April 6th, 2012
11:21 am
Petrino is a scumbag. Hope they fire his ass.
Buckeye
April 6th, 2012
11:22 am
SEC! SEC! SEC!
David
April 6th, 2012
11:22 am
Arkansas obviously does not put a great deal of weight on the character factor considering that they, along with Petrino showed a complete lack of character and ethics when they hired him in the fashion that all that occurred. Good for both of them. They deserve one another. I don’t know why they would even want to fire him. They should have know what they were getting. Now they have it. Might as well keep it.
jarvis
April 6th, 2012
11:22 am
haha
A Father
April 6th, 2012
11:22 am
She is a HOTTIE!
To you people claiming Petrino is bad, many of you should ask yourself why you are voting for Romney who believes in having alot of women and sex legally or claim to be Republicans that say its ok to mistreat women and not allow women equal rights. 80% of all Americans married or not have at some time done equal or worse with a married individual or while married.
Maybe if Richt took a little risk we could score touchdowns and not choose field goals. Mark Richt needs to go for the ” V ” and quit with the fear crap.
Life Coach
April 6th, 2012
11:23 am
Even if he’s not fired, there will be plenty of parents dumb enough to let their kid play football for him. Sad.
dean
April 6th, 2012
11:24 am
evil empire======Petrino apologist!
Do you have a snake for a pet, too?
David
April 6th, 2012
11:24 am
Hey “Buckeye”, just remember, the “O” is for “Overrated”. Now and forever.
A Father
April 6th, 2012
11:25 am
Not a single man posting about this article would tell that girl NO if she said YES. What hippocrites you people are.
A Father
April 6th, 2012
11:26 am
Life Coach claiming something he is not.
The Grinch
April 6th, 2012
11:27 am
My heart and thoughts to his family, but it couldn’t have happened to a nice guy.
ARdawg
April 6th, 2012
11:27 am
I’m not surprised Bradley takes the greater than thou high ground. His hate of Petrino is well documented. None of you bloggers can claim that perch. College athletics sold it’s soul long ago. So, cut the crap. Petrino is just a man like any man. He’s broke no laws. You don’t have to like him. Inappropriate behavior isn’t a crime
Stinger 2
April 6th, 2012
11:28 am
I understand that everyone has a right to express their opinions on these blogs.
However, in this case are those who do at this time judging someone without all the facts being known? The AD has said he is in the process of gathering all the info. he needs before making a decision.
Should we not wait before we judge Petrino?
David
April 6th, 2012
11:29 am
Sorry, “A Father”, but I would say no. Because I am married. And I have character. And you call yourself “A Father”.
Dawg Haus
April 6th, 2012
11:29 am
Nice, buster brave! I was just thinking the same thing. Old Pigtrino would look pretty awesome in black and gold.
ARdawg
April 6th, 2012
11:30 am
However, I do suspect Arkansas will fire the guy despite hating to do so
jarvis
April 6th, 2012
11:30 am
@A Father, Are you suggesting that I would leave an outing with my family at the lake to go pick up a 25-year-old piece of arse? Or that I would have used my influence to prop her in my workplace for favors?
If you think that is normal behavior that all men would follow, you are an unethical fool that deserves what Petrino is going through now.
bigskydawg
April 6th, 2012
11:33 am
Arkansas State Patrol finds panties and sports bra in spokes of Petrno’s wrecked Harley!
dean
April 6th, 2012
11:33 am
A Father. No. I wouldn’t You assume that because YOU would.
No pity party here for the viper.
lanier
April 6th, 2012
11:33 am
bet Arthur is laughin his butt off
RiffRaff
April 6th, 2012
11:35 am
Petrino is still the same guy. When he resigned from the head coaching job with the Falcons he did not even have the guts to face the players and tell them. He left a note in the locker room.
The Grinch
April 6th, 2012
11:35 am
ARdawg
April 6th, 2012
11:27 am
“Inappropriate behavior isn’t a crime”
No, but it is cause for possibly losing a multi-million dollar coaching job.
A Father
April 6th, 2012
11:36 am
Ha Ha, jarvis, david, you would never say NO if she said Yes. That is exactly what I am saying.
There are men that your wives would never say no if they said yes, if you dont believe it than being naive and stupid is no way to go through life. You guys are funny
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
April 6th, 2012
11:37 am
a buckeye fan speaking of ethics…ohhhhhhhhh the Irony. Bobby will be fired due to the girl is an employee of UA.
karma chameleon has a yellow belly
April 6th, 2012
11:37 am
To “A Father”—–I think you meant “hog-o-crites” instead of “hippo-crites”. I hear that “hog-o-crites” will eat anything…..even crow!
(*hypocrites)
A Father
April 6th, 2012
11:38 am
inappropriate, two adults, who is determining this to be that, both are consenting adults and it is no one else’s business. No one, OH, unless you bring the religious judgement in, the hippocrites.
Dawggy Style
April 6th, 2012
11:38 am
I call dibs on the Petrino scraped-face poster to sell at Falcons’ games this fall. With any luck I may be able to afford a lake house and motorcycle too! LMAO … he is truly a douche bag!!
Bama Mike
April 6th, 2012
11:39 am
Smart money says he stays. Winning and having a pre-season top 5 ranking seems to cloud everyones judgement in doing what is right. If there is a paper trail to follow go no further than Tuscaloosa. Coach Dubose was caught having an affair but coming off an SEC championship and pres-season top 3 ranking, the AD at the time Bockrath gave him a pass. Bockrath was fired before the season even kicked off. Dubose hung on for one more season. My opinon he has to go. Conduct inexcusable.
Once Bobby Petrino is fired, Arkansas should hire Gus Malzahn – SportingNews.com | News Room
April 6th, 2012
11:39 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
11:40 am
a father the idiot
It’s called character. If the hottie wanted to hookup with me, I’d tell her no. Simple as that.
Plus the fact that it would be my last sexual encounter of my life once my wife found out. She would remove the appropriate appendage………….
Seriously, are you as dumb as the things you type?
Do you really believe what you type?
I hope you are mostly kidding with what you write because otherwise, we have found the village idiot.
David
April 6th, 2012
11:42 am
A Father, you are obviously on the same page character-wise as Petrino. And based on your earlier post, you are an Obama supported as well. So that explains everything. Sad for you. I have been married 37 years and would never jeopardize that for something like this. Never. The “stupid” tag you are throwing around is hanging right on you my friend. Very sad for you. You must lead a very sad and dysfunctional life.
Bama Mike
April 6th, 2012
11:43 am
Rumour out of Fayetteville now has two of Arkansas defensive players at the scene prior to the crash. They tried to catch Petrino prior to him going into the ditch but they missed the tackle.
Hey Hey Hey We're the Monkees
April 6th, 2012
11:43 am
The only thing that could have made it better would be Saban riding in the sidecar with a90 year old crossdressing albino hooker.
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
11:43 am
2 consenting adults crapola gets discarded in this case because he just HIRED HER TO WORK FOR HIM.
March 28th??
Engaged to one of the coaches in the Athletics Dept.
He admitted to a “previous inappropriate relationship”. Previous? Like yesterday until he got caught!!!!!!!!!
Buckeye
April 6th, 2012
11:44 am
And they crucified Tressel for lying about tatoos.
As a Falcon fan, this is just deserts I suppose. Cements Petrino’s legacy is in concrete on the ocean floor with Bin Laden in case there was ever any doubt.
jarvis
April 6th, 2012
11:45 am
Since when do you have to break the law to get fired?
DawginLex
April 6th, 2012
11:45 am
Hey buckeye
Now we know why he is the only SEC coach to lose to the Buckeyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Father is an idiot
April 6th, 2012
11:46 am
A Father
April 6th, 2012
11:22 am
She is a HOTTIE!
To you people claiming Petrino is bad, many of you should ask yourself why you are voting for Romney who believes in having alot of women and sex legally or claim to be Republicans that say its ok to mistreat women and not allow women equal rights. 80% of all Americans married or not have at some time done equal or worse with a married individual or while married.
Maybe if Richt took a little risk we could score touchdowns and not choose field goals. Mark Richt needs to go for the ” V ” and quit with the fear crap.
_____________________________________________________________________
How many wives does Romney have again?
You sir, are an idiot.
Tide fan
April 6th, 2012
11:46 am
I think Arkansas is going to have to fire him because he lied about it in the press conference about him being alone on the cycle to begin with. That right there will do him in. Plus if he is having an affair with her and used his position to get her a bogus job its just that much worse. I’m pretty sure he is a goner.
David
April 6th, 2012
11:47 am
Yep, Only time Ohio St. has beat an SEC team ever. Ever.
Tide fan
April 6th, 2012
11:48 am
A father is an idiot? Your handle would have been more appriopriate if it said “I is an idiot”.
Rico
April 6th, 2012
11:50 am
We don’t want revenge on Petrino, for what he did to the Falcons. Quiiting on our team during tough times because of Vick! Okay, Okay, Okay, Alright already::::We do want Revenge and this shall serve as such, so I hope Petrino can deal with his Demons because he not only faces losing his job but more important his Family and that SUCKS! Good Luck guy cause you will need plenty of it! GO FALCONS!
fedup
April 6th, 2012
11:53 am
Moral questions aside, Petrino’s behavior put the university at risk for lawsuits. Why did his girlfriend get her new job in the football program last week? Was it because she was having an “inappropriate” relationship with her soon-to-be-boss? What about the other applicants to that job? Do they have a claim against the university? Also, Petrino now has a record of lying to the university. If they keep him and some other incident happens in the future in which Petrino lies again, the university will not be able to claim ignorance of his penchance for lying. If I were a lawyer for the university, I will advise the university to terminate him because he is an obvious liability.
Giggs
April 6th, 2012
11:53 am
Hey Buckeye, I sure hope you didn’t attend college at Ohio State, because your spelling in your most recent post is an embarrassment to that school if you did. It’s TATTOO and DESSERTS, by the way.
frank
April 6th, 2012
11:53 am
I can see now said the blind man….
Buckeye
April 6th, 2012
11:53 am
DawginLex,
Now that’s funny although no longer true. Officially, we remain winless against the SEC! SEC! in bowl games.
Urban will have a say in the matter in the future given he’s got two years to prepare!
Tide fan
April 6th, 2012
11:54 am
Gotta feel bad for the Arkansas fans. They were going to be preseason top 5 or at least top 10 and the only 2 teams they lost to last year- Bama and LSU, they get at home this year. If Ark was ever going to make a run at the national title or at least an SEC title this was the year to make it happen. And now this crap. Man that sucks for their fans.
Buckeye
April 6th, 2012
11:54 am
Giggs,
Thanks. Whatever Giggs is.
bill
April 6th, 2012
11:54 am
What if he had killed himself and her, instead of just getting that facial? Did you get the fact that they left the scene and went back to her car, where he caught a ride with the state patrol to the hospital? She booked….
What a skeez bag…..