Bobby Petrino coaching rumor updates

• 10 months ago
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Bobby Petrino Interview: TV Schedule For Disgraced Coach's First Public Chat

Fired Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino has an image to rehab as new coaching jobs are just months away from opening. The first step, after a few months of silence, is an interview in his home state of Montana with Joe Schad, to air Thursday on SportsCenter. Schad describes him as "remorseful, apologetic and emotional," and says the coach discusses his affair with employee Jessica Dorrell and what he was thinking after his motorcycle crash.

As for the exact time the interview will air, it's not easy to pin it down exactly, but it'll definitely be up throughout the afternoon and evening. Schad says it will definitely air in its entirety on the 6 p.m. ET edition of the show.

Re: Petrino interview RT @schadjoe: For sure 6 ET but also likely clips from interview earlier in day

— SBN College Football (@SBNationCFB) August 9, 2012

It's gonna take a whole, whole lot for Petrino to win back a sliver of college football fans, but all he really has to do is win over a single athletic director. Once that happens, wins on the field will likely follow, and then he's back in business.

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For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Who Says Bobby Petrino Isn't Sentimental?

• about 1 year ago
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Paul Petrino Worrying About His Brother While Trying To Replace Him

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Scandal: Jeff Long's Notes On Jessica Dorrell Affair

The Bobby Petrino scandal began a few weeks ago, at least in the eyes of the public, and it doesn't seem to be coming to a close anytime soon. The latest information on the disgraced head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks football program was released on Thursday as the Associated Press received notes from conversations involving Petrino and athletic director Jeff Long.

Quite a bit of new information was released in the notes compiled by Long and assistant athletic director Jon Fagg. The documents -- containing what the two had talked to Petrino, Jessica Dorrell and others about relating to Petrino's eventual firing -- were released to the Associated Press as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.

There's quite a bit of information uncovered, ranging from random (Petrino apparently liked to buy Dorrell Hot Tamales) to reckless (Petrino's $20,000 gift to Dorrell could possibly have led to sexual harassment charges, according to Long).

Most interesting, however, was the fact that Long attempted on multiple occasions to try and find reasons keep his head coach.

Long wrote a detailed list of contract violations Petrino had committed before meeting with the former coach to discuss them. He included in his notes that he was still looking for Petrino to remain the Arkansas coach, despite those violations, and asked Petrino to "help me understand why these are not violations of your contract."

However, Petrino's answers didn't provide Long with the ammunition he was looking for to keep the highly successful coach. Instead, Petrino confirmed his relationship with Dorrell had continued, saying they went on the fateful April 1 motorcycle outing because they "had always said they would go for a ride."

Yeesh.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Mike Slive Approves Of Arkansas' Decision To Fire Bobby Petrino

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive told the media he endorsed Arkansas' decision to fire head coach Bobby Petrino. Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long fired Petrino with cause earlier this month, when it was discovered Petrino lied to Long about his motorcycle accident and revealed his relationship with Jessica Dorrell, another department employee. Slive lent his full support to Long's decision, stating, "I was proud of the action taken by the university."

If Arkansas had not taken any action, Slive would not comment on whether he would have suspended Petrino himself, enacting a power he has as the head of the conference. He would not address the hypothetical, according to Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News:

"That issue never came to me so I'm not going to talk about it," Slive said. "If it ever came to me, I would have to make that decision. It's something I have not yet had to address and hopefully I never will have to address."

Arkansas will play its spring game on Saturday with Taver Johnson as interim head coach. Long has said he will make an update announcement on the school's search to replace Petrino early next week.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino's Charity Golf Event Canceled By Arkansas Hospital

• about 1 year ago
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Jessica Dorrell Resigns From Arkansas

Jessica Dorrell, Bobby Petrino's former mistress, has officially resigned from her position as the University of Arkansas' student-athlete development coordinator, the school announced Tuesday. From the Associated Press:

Athletic Director Jeff Long said the decision was mutual and that there are no immediate plans to try to re-fill the job.

The university says Dorrell will be paid approximately $14,000 to settle "all matters between the parties."

Dorrell was hired by Petrino on March 28. Four days later, she was riding with Petrino on his motorcycle when he lost control and wrecked. It was during the investigation into that accident that the university learned Petrino and Dorrell were involved in an extramarital affair -- and that Petrino had pushed through the hiring of Dorrell from a pool of 159 applicants despite the obvious conflict of interest.

Petrino was fired on April 10 and Dorrell was placed on administrative leave a few days later. In addition to the $14,000 she will receive from Arkansas, Dorrell also received a $20,000 gift from Petrino to purchase a car before their relationship became public.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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VIDEO: Houston Nutt On Bobby Petrino And Arkansas

• about 1 year ago
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Arkansas Players, Coaches React To Bobby Petrino Scandal

The Arkansas Razorbacks have been through quite a bit in the past week. With the Bobby Petrino firing now behind them, players on the Razorbacks football team are still shocked by the move.

"Obviously it's been tough on everybody,'' senior quarterback Tyler Wilson told the Associated Press. "It's a unique situation. It's tough for everybody, but I think it's unique that our team has been very coherent through all of it.''

Running back Knile Davis expressed shock and admitted he was hurt in the wake of the Petrino firing and has even gone as far as to steer clear from Facebook and Twitter -- he even turned off his cell phone at one point. "We've put a lot of hard work over these last four years to get where we're at,'' Davis told the Associated Press. "Just to see it go down the drain in 24 hours is just, you know, it hurts. But we can't do anything but move forward.''

Even assistant coach Paul Petrino, Bobby Petrino's brother, seemed shocked by the news. "I had no idea. I did not know anything about it,'' Petrino told the Associated Press. "Bobby's my brother. I love him. I will always love him. He made a mistake. He's paying deeply for it." Petrino will remain on board with the current staff through spring practices, but his situation is unknown beyond that point.

Many of the Arkansas players have played their entire time with the Razorbacks under Bobby Petrino, including Wilson, who decided to return for his senior season instead of opting for the 2012 NFL Draft. Wilson met with Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long to express his desire to keep the same coaching staff in place for continuity, but the new head coach and staff remains an issue still up in the air.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Bypassed Arkansas Affirmative Action Policy to Hire Jessica Dorrell

Not only did Bobby Petrino hire his mistress, Jessica Dorrell, to take a position as a player development coordinator on the Arkansas football staff, he skirted a series of University of Arkansas hiring guidelines in order to expedite her hiring. (In addition to the whole "don't hire your mistress" guideline, but that goes without saying). David Epstein and Michael McCann of SI.com filed a few Freedom of Information Act requests with the University, and got some documents containing details of Dorrell's hiring.

University of Arkansas affirmative action policy requires jobs be listed for 30 days before candidates can be interviewed, but Petrino filed a waiver, citing the fact that he needed an assistant to look into eligibility of high schoolers during the spring recruiting period. Instead of 30 days, Dorrell interviewed for the job after eight days, and was hired after only 16 - barely half of the amount of time that should have passed before interviews even started.

In addition, the documents reveal that Dorrell was the only of three finalists with no football experience and the only one without a master's degree in a related field - two of the supposed requirements for the position.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Turned Down A Rocket Scientist, Hired Jessica Dorrell

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Bought Jessica Dorrell An Acura, Says Arkansas

The Arkansas Razorbacks continue their strategy of making sure former football coach Bobby Petrino looks as firing-worthy as possible. (Yes, they're just complying with FOIA requests, but they're being mighty snappy about it.) Their tactic in this effort: pretty much just telling everybody exactly what sorts of things Petrino did. That's been entirely sufficient so far.

The latest set of revelations from Chris Bahn includes a note on that $20,000 Petrino gave Jessica Dorrell, his mistress of many months whom he eventually employed in the athletic department. She used it to buy a black Acura. This could've all been avoided if they'd simply ridden in the car he bought her instead of on his motorbike. Cars are super safe.

This comes from the termination letter AD Jeff Long wrote to Petrino. Also from Bahn's article, a quote from the letter:

Your conduct and actions in this matter have generated voluminous negative media stories and opinions, within Arkansas and nationally, that have harmed the reputation of the University of Arkansas and our athletics programs. We are now faced with the task of restoring the reputation of our institution and our athletics programs that many individuals and teams have worked hard to build over the years.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Jessica Dorrell Hired Over Nick Saban-Recommended Former LSU Player

• about 1 year ago
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Jessica Dorrell Placed On Paid Administrative Leave By Arkansas

All three Arkansas Razorbacks athletic department participants in the Bobby Petrino scandal appear to have now been cleared from the offices. Petrino was fired, Jessica Dorrell's fiancee Josh Morgan is no longer listed among the school's coaches, and Dorrell herself is now on paid administrative leave, the Associated Press reports:

University spokesman Steve Voorhies confirmed Dorrell's leave Friday morning, saying the school would issue no more details because the situation is a personnel matter.

Dorrell was hired over 158 other applicants and paid $20,000 by Petrino. Her salary remains $55,735. Since September, she and Petrino exchanged thousands of text messages and several hours worth of phone calls. Their inappropriate relationship was uncovered after Petrino was found to have lied about her presence in his motorcycle wreck two weeks ago.

She's a former Razorbacks volleyball player and fundraiser.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Won't Fight Arkansas' Decision To Fire Him With Cause

The Arkansas Razorbacks fired football coach Bobby Petrino with cause, meaning they terminated him because of his adventurous conduct off the field, not because of his team's performance. Most contracts include clauses that allow for athletic departments to get rid of coaches who do things like, say, putting mistresses on the payroll.

Though Petrino said in his goodbye letter that he doesn't quite agree with athletic director Jeff Long's characterization of how the whole episode went down, it sounds like we won't have to watch the two squabble in court over what actually did happen.

Bobby Petrino accepts responsibility for actions and result and will not appeal Arkansas' termination with cause

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) April 13, 2012

Such a process could have been disastrous for Petrino, as both sides would've had to show all their cards. As we're seeing with merely the release of Petrino's phone records, there are quite a few cars the coach would prefer to keep hidden.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino's Text Messages Come Rolling In

First it was Bobby Petrino's phone records, showing a pattern of contact with his alleged mistress, Jessica Dorrell. But those were just numbers on a page and little else -- enough to show frequency of contact, but not content. Now, some text messages are rolling in, the result of more FOIA requests filled by Arkansas.

Petrino was worried about his job after the nature of his motorcycle accident became public. Last Friday, he texted associate athletic director Chris Wyrick, asking if he was about to be fired. Wyrick responded (via Chris Bahn):

"I can't honestly speak to his pulse on that, but my gut is he wants it to work. You have done the job and most feel like you are due a mulligan. I would hope as that starts to finalize, you would be open to some PR ideas that I think could help. I wil not impose those on you, but certainly would help you with that of [if] called upon. He has not asked me one time If I've talked to you, so it's not like he is saying this or that."

Petrino also texted athletic director Jeff Long, asking for guidance and expressing regret that "this all happened!!"

Ironically, he sent a text to a student member asking if the contents of his text messages could be released. That text message was released on Thursday, as well.

More on the texts can be found at Arkansassports360.com.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino's House Is For Sale, And Has Been For Some Time

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Phone Records: Coach Called Jessica Dorrell During Season

Bobby Petrino has already been fired by Arkansas for ... well, there are a lot of possibilities here, but it's probably for lying about the details of his motorcycle accident last Sunday, providing the woman he was apparently having an affair with (Jessica Dorrell) a job in the Arkansas football office, lying about both of those things together or refusing to accept penalties, but it's very much possible that his already sordid tale could get worse.

One way that will happen: Petrino's phone records have been released, and already have a couple of ugly details.

First, Petrino called Dorrell often over the course of the last six months, with the records dating back to September 12, 2011 showing a conversation between the two of them then and establishing a pattern of frequent contact. Second, Bobby Petrino may know how to use his phone's multimedia capabilities.

Anyone know what Pict Video MSG means on a phone bill? There are some of those, too.

— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) April 11, 2012

Ugly details: possibly literal!

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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PHOTO: Arkansas Fans Riding In Solidarity With Bobby Petrino?

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Could Wind Up With A NFL Position Coaching Job

Fired Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino isn't going to stay unemployed for long. Teams like scoring points, and he's good at doing that.

One day after Jeff Long's press conference revealed Petrino not only hired his mistress, but paid her $20,000, it seems crazy to think of a team hiring him to do anything at all, but let's remember the NFL had to force the Colts to keep Jim Tressel out of the booth for half a season and Mike Price had little trouble finding work after being fired by Alabama for allegedly similar indiscretions. Coaches get hired.

And if Petrino's name is momentarily mud in the college ranks, there's always the possibility of a year in the NFL, where teams are allowed to retain approximately thousands of assistant coaches. There's always something to do, even for coaches who are demonstrably far better at the college game than they are at the pro level.

Unbelievably, I'm hearing there's NFL interest in Petrino as a position coach.

— mike freeman (@realfreemancbs) April 11, 2012

Petrino could be an ace quarterbacks coach or wide receivers coach, having produced All-SEC regulars at those positions despite facing some of the league's harshest recruiting disadvantages. His move to the Atlanta Falcons was once heralded as Michael Vick's one big chance to become a legit NFL quarterback, but we saw how that went. So there are obviously certain situations he'd be wise to avoid.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Jessica Dorrell's Fiancee No Longer Listed As Arkansas Coach

Bobby Petrino was officially fired as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks football coach on Tuesday. While some feel that the action was necessary on the part of the school administration, the move is not without residual effects. Petrino's termination stemmed from attempting to cover up a relationship with a subordinate, Jessica Dorrell, who worked for the school and whose fiancee has been employed as an Arkansas strength coach and swimming coach.

As Braden Keith of SwimSwam notes, Dorrell's fiancee, Josh Morgan, is no longer listed on the school's staff directory. Megan Haskins, a graduate assistant, is listed as the swimming coach.

It is unclear whether Morgan was fired or resigned as a result of the Petrino situation. Dorrell's status as an Arkansas employee is also unknown at the current time.

h/t The Big Lead

For all news and information regarding the Arkansas Razorbacks, please visit Arkansas Expats.

• about 1 year ago
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How Much Will Bobby Petrino's Firing Cost Him?

University of Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long announced Tuesday that he terminated Bobby Petrino's contract with cause. As such, the school is likely off the hook with regards to the rest of the money owed on Petrino's contract. Although the coach paid football staff member Jessica Dorrell $20,000, the scandal will cost him much more than that.

Petrino had more than $21 million remaining on his contract, which lasted through the 2017 season. This past season Petrino earned $3.65 million, the seventh-most among college coaches, in addition to money for media appearances.

The school was able to terminate the contract -- rather than offer a buyout -- due to Petrino's failure to disclose his relationship with Dorrell. As Darren Rovell noted, the school likely couldn't have terminated his contract due to a mere morality clause -- which is fairly common in contracts -- without a lengthy court battle.

But as Little Rock CBS affiliate KHTV points out, Petrino's downfall was Arkansas' March 28 hiring of Dorrell as a student-athlete development coordinator. Since Petrino and Dorrell were involved in an "inappropriate relationship," as Petrino admitted, when she was hired, there was a personal conflict of interest, which gives the school more grounds to fire the coach. Again, we turn to Rovell here:

While Petrino screwed up morally with his relationship, the fact that she worked at Arkansas & he promoted her did him in.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) April 10, 2012

Petrino could still take the school to court over the firing, but if the facts are as cut and dry as Long made them sound Tuesday, his case will be difficult, to say the least.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino's Statement After Being Fired By Arkansas

Bobby Petrino is, understandably, not happy that he's no longer the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Before athletic director Jeff Long held his press conference to speak about Petrino's hiring, one might have expected Petrino's statement to be defiant. Instead, Long laid down the law and outlined exactly why Petrino was being fired for cause. In response, Petrino's statement was apologetic, taking responsibility for his actions.

Here's his statement in full, courtesy of the Associated Press:

"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 by 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 (athletic director) 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 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 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 four 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."

Long now will start the process of finding a new head coach, while Petrino will start the process of re-establishing himself in his chosen profession. More likely than not, he's going to find that to be very difficult. He's a chronic bridge-burner, and this is probably the most comprehensive way that he has ever burned a bridge.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Fired Due To Refusing To Accept Penalties, According To Report

The Arkansas Razorbacks are expected to announce they are parting ways with head football coach Bobby Petrino on Tuesday night. The expected dismissal stems from an investigation following Petrino's attempt to cover up a relationship with a school employee. The cover-up came to light following a motorcycle crash last week in which Petrino lied about not having a passenger at the time of the accident.

Arkansas investigated the situation throughout the weekend and had internal conversations about how to proceed with Petrino. School representatives met with Petrino on Tuesday prior to the announcement of a press conference.

According to Dudley E. Dawson, Clay Henry of arkansas.scout.com has sources who claim that the school was hoping to be able to retain Petrino, but with penalties that the coach would have to abide by for the remainder of his time there. Petrino refused the terms and was fired as a result.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Watch Arkansas' Bobby Petrino Press Conference Online

We already know that Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach Bobby Petrino is about to get fired for lying to his superiors about an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate whom he had a part in hiring. At a press conference that starts at 8:15 p.m. ET, the university should announce exactly that. However, just in case that's not what's going down, or in case Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long says something really interesting, you might want to tune in. Thankfully, you can watch this press conference streaming live online.

You can catch the live stream of the press conference at the Razorbacks' official website. You can find a stream of the press conference here, though the site is overloaded and experiencing some technical difficulties. Long is probably going to give some details of the administrative review into the Petrino situation and give a reason or three for exactly why Petrino no longer has a job. Or, he could throw a huge curveball!

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino, Jeff Long Reportedly Meeting Amid Suspension

The job status of Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino remains unsettled after he was suspended Thursday night. There have been no real updates as we've entered Week 2 of MotorcycleGate, a scandal much better dubbed Hawgpanky.

However, news could start happenin', based on a tweet by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist Wally Hall:

Petrino reportedly meeting with Long.

— Wally Hall (@WallyLikeItIs) April 10, 2012

Few are expecting Petrino to be fired for lying to his boss about keeping a state-funded mistress on the payroll. A wrist-slappin' suspension for a game or two, along with a financial penalty and perhaps some time away from the program over the summer, are more likely penalties. Arkansas has a lot of money tied up in keeping the boosters happy, and the boosters seem to like something about winning 10 or so games a year.

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For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Rally Highlights Include Pro-Scoring Sign

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Rally Draws About 200 Arkansas Fans

A group of about 200 supporters of Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino gathered for a rally in The Gardens Monday night with the intention to influence Athletic Director Jeff Long to retain Petrino as the head coach, the Associated Press reports.

From Chris Bahn, right when the rally was beginning:

Rally organizer Matt Couch was happy with the turnout, which he conceded would not have occurred had the Razorbacks not finished 11-2 and ranked in the top 5 in 2011.

"We're not condoning what he did morally," Couch said. "We are disappointed in him, but he's still our football coach and no one's perfect.

"I wouldn't ask him for marriage counseling, but at the same time we're supportive of him and we want him to do well."

Go to this StoryStream for more on Petrino's accident and the fallout. For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Arkansas State Police Release Report On Bobby Petrino's Motorcycle Accident

The motorcycle accident that touched off the firestorm that currently licks at Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino happened just eight days ago, on April 1, and news of it broke one week ago, on the following Monday. On Monday evening, the Arkansas state police released their narrative report from the crash, which confirms that Petrino's companion on the night, Arkansas student-athlete development coordinator Jessica Dorrell, made a phone call to police in the wake of the crash.

The ASP said in a statement that the Captain Lance King's report is evidence that its officer "did not violate any State Police policy or state laws" based on the narrative he provided. King, who has worked pre-game and gameday assignments with Petrino since 2010, also writes, "I do not know Jessica Dorrell and I have never met her."

A copy of the report, which also mentions King's Sunday evening trip to Wal-Mart for "a jar of spaghetti sauce and a pound of lunch meat" and the fantastically-named Tim K'Nuckles, was made available to Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long. Long announced that Petrino had been placed on paid administrative leave on Thursday, and is in the process of conducting a full investigation.

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Go to this StoryStream for more on Petrino's accident and the fallout. For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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VIDEO: Is Bobby Petrino Worth It?

• about 1 year ago
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VIDEO: Arkansas Fans Aren't Taking The Bobby Petrino Scandal Well

• about 1 year ago
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Arkansas Moving On With Spring Practice, Despite Bobby Petrino Controversy

Lost in all of the controversy surrounding Bobby Petrino, his motorcycle accident and his relationship with a subordinate is the fact that his Arkansas Razorbacks team is still working on getting better at football. The Razorbacks are in the middle of spring practice, and they quietly returned to the practice field on Friday.

Taver Johnson is the acting head coach, and he's currently being careful not to say anything. Seeing as Bobby Petrino could still potentially be his boss this fall, this is probably a good idea. He was asked what he thought about the situation and didn't immediately pass judgment.

"Again, you don't know all the facts, you don't have all the information. So, until you have all those things, you can't really pass judgment. The players, I think they're along the same lines. Nobody really knows, so you can't really answer a ton of questions yet until you find out.''

It might be a few days before Johnson or any of the Arkansas players know Petrino's fate, and they're going to have to continue practicing without knowing who is going to be in charge when real games roll around. Practicing at the same level as they were practicing at pre-motorcycle crash could be understandably difficult.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

• about 1 year ago
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Rally For Bobby Petrino Is A Real Thing, Happening On Monday

• about 1 year ago
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Bobby Petrino Scandal: Jessica Dorrell 'In Safe Mode,' Says Friend

As layers are peeled back from the scandal involving Bobby Petrino, a motorcycle and a 25-year-old Arkansas Razorbacks football employee named Jessica Dorrell, Dorrell, a former Arkansas volleyball player, has essentially gone into hiding. From the Associated Press:

Dorrell hasn't returned calls from friends since the police report was released Thursday, according to a former Razorbacks volleyball player and friend of Dorrell's, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

"She's in safe mode right now,'' the person said. "Everyone has made mistakes. Everyone has dirty laundry, but not everyone has their dirty laundry shown on national television.''

The AP's source went on to say that the volleyball alumni have "reached out" to Dorrell, and they "feel like they have to protect her."

The rest of the article, which is a terrific read, goes on to detail the moral responsibility of being a football coach at a high-profile program. The best nugget is from Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, notoriously authoritarian with his team, on the importance of having fun:

"I try to enjoy life,'' Saban said. "I still waterski. I ride them jet skis as fast as they'll go and every two years I get the fastest ones.

"... You could (get) hit with a golf ball, and I like playing golf, too. You could have a fatal accident there, but I'm not going to not play golf because of it.''

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Bobby Petrino Investigation To Continue Over The Weekend, Says Jeff Long

The saga surrounding Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach Bobby Petrino shows no signs of slowing down. The Arkansas athletic department is hard at work attempting to get to the bottom of Petrino's motorcycle accident, which has blown into a full-blown cover-up including multiple parties in an attempt to keep his relationship with a recently-hired subordinate secret. Petrino has already been suspended, but more action is likely forthcoming.

Thomas Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported on Saturday that Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long has stated the Petrino review is still on going and will continue throughout the weekend, meaning that no decision is likely to be forthcoming until Monday at the earliest.

There is no telling when or where this will all end, although many are calling for Petrino's termination.

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Bobby Petrino Cover-Up Included Couple Behind Wheel, Reportedly

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino has been put on administrative leave by the University of Arkansas while the athletic director investigates his recent motorcycle accident.

One of the key facts is that Petrino initially lied about who was involved in the motorcycle accident. Petrino wasn't the only person who tried to cover up the story, though. As noted in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (via Chris Bahn of ArkansasSports360.com), the couple that transported Petrino and Jessica Dorrell from the scene of the accident also kept quiet.

Initially, the couple that transported Petrino and Dorrell from the scene - to a rendezvous point with State Police Capt. Lance King - told reporters that Petrino was alone. Only after seeing the accident report did they admit Dorrell was in the car. Family members are now acting as spokespeople for the couple, who seem to have gone into hiding.

It's unknown why this couple decided to back up Petrino's lie. The couple has reportedly gone into hiding because of the story.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Bobby Petrino Scandal: Garrick McGee, Speculated Successor, Comments

If Arkansas Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino is fired for lying about his relationship with a newly-hired subordinate, former offensive coordinator Garrick McGee is a popular candidate to replace him. McGee's in his first spring practice period as new coach of the UAB Blazers. After practice Friday, McGee was asked about his old boss:

Well, it is an unfortunate situation for everybody involved. I think that in crises like this, true leadership takes charge. And the time I spent there, I'm convinced that they have really good leadership from the top down, all the way to the locker room, with Tyler Wilson and Knile Davis ... and those guys. I trust the leadership at the university to make the proper decisions to keep the program on top, where they are now.

I did speak with him the morning after the accident. We did have some communication, but I haven't spoke with him since then.

I'm a part of that program. I know all the people involved. I know the kids. The leadership, the Razorback nation. Just to see them going through a tough time right now is tough.

McGee, along with Arkansas St. Red Wolves coach Gus Malzahn, has been the most frequently mentioned name as a possible new coach if Petrino indeed must go. Both have connections to the state and to the program in particular. When McGee got the Blazers job, Petrino was apparently so excited for him that Arkansas announced the hire days before UAB did.

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VIDEO: Bobby Petrino Should Be Fired Following Motorcycle Accident Scandal

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Bobby Petrino 911 Call Released: Audio And Transcript Of The Recording

The 911 call following Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident was released on Friday and it confirms the police report from Thursday indicating the Arkansas head coach was not alone. A caller who did not witness the accident but did come upon the scene shortly after it happened tells the 911 operator a male and female were on the motorcycle and the male, Petrino, appeared to be bleeding profusely.

The caller also adds that the two got into a white SUV and headed to a hospital. He finds identification near the motorcycle, saying it belongs to Bobby and Rebecca Petrino.

And here's a transcript:

Caller: My name's Larry and we're on highway 16 between Elkins and Durham. It's a motorcycle, a single-vehicle accident as near as I know. And the rider and the passenger of the motorcycle declined us to call 911. They got in a vehicle and headed to the hospital.

Operator: Did they hit anybody?

Caller: No, it's in the right of way. The motorcycle is here on the right of way and we're a little bit hesitant to leave it here.

Operator: Hold on a second. Where at on 16?

Caller: It's on highway 16, they were northbound and it's somewhere between Elkins and Durham. It's a quarter of a mile east of the Pig Tail Store. Quarter of a mile from the crosses store .. Pig Tail Store at crosses.

Operator: Oh wow, that's way south of Durham, so it's nowhere near Durham.

Caller: Ok, that's where I'm at...anyway.

Operator: What kind of vehicle did they get into and leave?

Caller: It was a white SUV [garbled]

Operator: Hold on one second .. did you witness the accident?

Caller: No ma'am, I came by when they were getting out of the ditch. I can give you the license plate of the motorcycle if you like. I've got it here.

Operator: Sir I'm sorry I was on the radio again.

Caller: That's ok, I was talking with another person here.

Operator: How badly were they injured?

Caller: It looked like his face was bleeding quite a lot, but she did not look to be very injured. She's the passenger. The gentleman was walking, but it looked like his face was bleeding quite a lot. He was walking on his own power.

Operator: How long ago did this accident happen?

Caller: Five minutes, maybe 10. Robert and Rebecca and Petrino is the name they're finding.

[Confirm the name and tag number on the motorcycle]

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Bobby Petrino Scandal: Police Captain Lance King Now Under Investigation

Arkansas State Police Captain Lance King transported Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino to the hospital after the coach's Sunday night motorcycle accident. You'll recall Petrino was picked up at a location near his female passenger's car, not at the site of the accident itself. King also happens to work security for Arkansas football during the season.

So now we've got another question or two that need answering, it appears.

In a statement, ASP said:

On Thursday afternoon (April 5, 2012) the Arkansas State Police completed its investigation of the motor-vehicle crash involving Robert Petrino and Jessica Dorrell.

Subsequently public inquiries have arisen asking the State Police to offer answers to questions relating to the sequence of events which precipitated State Police Captain Lance King to respond to the Fayetteville location where he met Coach Petrino and any information Captain King may have learned about the crash during conversations with Coach Petrino.

While the inquiries have no direct correlation to the investigation of the motor vehicle crash, the questions are legitimate and worthy of answers.

This afternoon (Friday, April 6, 2012) Captain King has been asked by his supervisor to provide a detailed summary of his involvement with Coach Petrino and other individuals who've been identified within the crash investigation.

It is the intention of the Arkansas State Police to have information from the summary which may be shared with the public early next week. What information will be released will depend on what facts Captain King provides to his supervisor.

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Bobby Petrino Suspended: Arkansas Fans On Bad PR And Broken Trust

Arkansas Razorbacks fans have a particular reputation. I'm not the one who invented it; I'm just here to chronicle. Hogs fans are known to be especially protective of their program, even more so than the average sports fan. That's certainly not to say that all Arkansas people are blind to reality. Far from it.

We have one fine example, on the subject of Bobby Petrino. Doc Harper of Arkansas Expats writes that Petrino's lack of public relations skills has surfaced over and over throughout his career, but that it's never really bothered his team's fans because he wins so much. In fact, his loyalists have been turned even more in his favor by a national media that sees Petrino as a job-skippin' weasel. Again, just chronicling.

Here's Harper on Petrino letting down even those who've spent the past two or three years defending him:

Not only did Arkansas administrators and fans defend Petrino through each of these incidents, but they also legitimately believed the best in him. They believed that all of the national people were wrong. That people were seeing what they wanted to see, which is whatever would generate the most web traffic - truth be damned. But now, that trust is fractured. Petrino lied to the same administrators, fans, and media who defended him while he was being roasted everywhere else.

There will be several fans that will want Petrino to remain head coach and will continue to defend him no matter what happens. But for the first time in Petrino's tenure at Arkansas, he's likely lost a significant amount of support. There may be some casual fans who have a harder time justifying spending a few hundred dollars to come to Fayetteville for a game weekend, or just to pay $55 for tickets to the Louisiana-Monroe game.

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Bobby Petrino's Attorney Comments On Arkansas' Deliberation

Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino is currently suspended -- technically, on paid administrative leave -- for covering up his "inappropriate relationship" with a subordinate, who wound up on the back of his motorcycle during an accident. Athletic director Jeff Long has said the school will take its time to come to a conclusion on just what the next step here is, and Long is clearly unhappy with the position he's been put in.

Petrino has apologized for the relationship and for withholding it, but as for the future, this has been his only comment so far:

Petrino's attorney: "At this point, things are in the University's hands and we have no comment beyond what Coach said in his statement."

— Chris Bahn (@cbahn) April 6, 2012

Arkansas has 21 wins over the past two seasons, including a high-profile bowl win in the Cotton Bowl last year and a Sugar Bowl trip in 2010.

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VIDEO: Arkansas Press Conference Announcing Bobby Petrino's Suspension

In case you missed it Thursday night, video evidence remains of Arkansas Razorbacks athletic director Jeff Long giving a press conference to assembled Hogs media on the subject of Bobby Petrino. Long officially announced Petrino as being placed on paid administrative leave while the school further investigates the coach's involvement with subordinate Jessica Dorrell.

The video, via Arkansas Sports 360:

Petrino did not attend the press conference, but was spotted leaving the facility just minutes before it began. He wrote a statement to be shared with the reporters in the building, apologizing for an "inappropriate relationship" and saying he either tried to keep it a secret for her benefit or was hazy due to medication or whichever you'd rather believe.

Long, who says he didn't find out from Petrino about Dorrell until the police report was pretty much public, is clearly torn about the choice he's about to have to make regarding his successful football coach.

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Bobby Petrino Suspended: Marginal Arkansas Recruiting Class On The Line

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Bobby Petrino Suspended: A Timeline Of Events

In a matter of days, what seemed like an innocent, albeit scary, motorcycle accident involving Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino has spiraled out of control. On Thursday night, Petrino was placed on paid administrative leave as the athletic department investigates the accident, specifically a previously unknown passenger -- a 25-year-old female athletic department employee.

In order to get a handle on what happened, lets go back a week. Here's a timeline of events leading up to, and following, the incident that are related to the investigation.

March 28, 2012: Petrino announces the hiring of Jessica Dorrell as Student-Athlete Development Coordinator. At the time, and by itself, the information didn't mean much. Dorrell, a former Razorbacks volleyball player, was hired to organize recruiting for the football team and assist with eligibility questions.

In hindsight, this quote from Petrino is more than a little ironic.

"Jessica Dorrell will be a great addition to our football program," said Coach Petrino. "As a former student-athlete she has an enthusiasm for the Razorbacks and is familiar with what the University of Arkansas can offer. She is extremely organized and has a professional approach, which should translate well into our program and recruiting as we continue to place an emphasis on this area."

April 1, 2012: Petrino is involved in a motorcycle accident around 6:45 p.m. local time. It was a single-vehicle crash, in which his motorcycle went off the road. Petrino was hospitalized, kept overnight and later released.

April 2, 2012: Arkansas releases a statement regarding the motorcycle accident. This is where things get a bit hairy (emphasis added).

"Coach Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening that involved no other individuals. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time."

April 3, 2012: Petrino gets back to work, sporting a neck brace. Petrino also admitted he wasn't wearing a helmet during the crash, a reminder of just how bad things could've been. On the plus side, he was able to joke about the incident.

April 5, 2012: We learn Petrino was not alone on the motorcycle and everything goes off the rails with the quickness. Petrino was accompanied on the motorcycle by Dorrell, the Student-Athlete Development Coordinator he hired just last week. Petrino is married and Dorrell is engaged, as well. Suddenly, the statement from Arkansas on Monday, in which it is asserted the accident involved no other individuals, is called into question. The police report confirms Dorrell's presence, and she gave a statement following the crash.

Later that evening, Arkansas AD Jeff Long hastily called a press conference to discuss the Petrino "situation." In a written statement -- Petrino did not attend the press conference -- the Arkansas head coach admitted a "previous inappropriate relationship."

That said I certainly had a concern about Jessica Dorrell's name being revealed. In my press conference, I referred to her simply as "a lady." My concern was to protect my family and a previous inappropriate relationship from becoming public. In hindsight, I showed a serious mistake in judgment when I chose not to be more specific about those details. Today, I've acknowledged this previous inappropriate relationship with my family and those within the athletic department administration.

In the speaking portion of the press gathering, Long tells the media he has placed Petrino on administrative leave with pay while he investigates the crash and relationship. Taver Johnson will assume the head coaching duties while Petrino is away.

And that just about brings us up to speed. However, considering the speed with which this story has progressed, odds are there's more to come. Long is hoping for a quick investigation, but doesn't yet know what he's looking for.

At this point, it doesn't look good for Petrino -- who apparently lied to his boss initially about the crash and his relationship with the women -- and that's before Long and the media begin looking deeper into the relationship and events surrounding the incident.

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Who Is Taver Johnson? Meet Arkansas' Acting Head Coach

With Bobby Petrino on administrative leave from his position as Arkansas head coach, assistant head coach Taver Johnson will become the Razorbacks' acting head coach. But even college football diehards may be asking "Who is Taver Johnson?" It's understandable: Johnson had never been even a coordinator at a BCS auto-bid conference school before today.

Johnson, a 1994 graduate of Wittenberg University, has been in coaching for 19 years, and came to Arkansas from Ohio State, where he served as cornerbacks coach from 2007 to 2011. Johnson was reunited with fellow former Buckeyes coach Paul Haynes in Fayetteville; the two worked together coaching Ohio State's secondary for much of the last five years, with Johnson coaching corners and Haynes coaching safeties and serving as the Buckeyes' co-defensive coordinator.

Prior to his time at Ohio State, Johnson served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Miami (Ohio) in 2005 and 2006 and as the RedHawks' linebackers coach from 2000 to 2003, and spent a season as the Cleveland Browns' special teams coach in 2004.

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Go to this StoryStream for more on Petrino's accident and the fallout. For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Bobby Petrino Apologizes For 'Inappropriate Relationship'

Arkansas Razorbacks athletic director Jeff Long held a press conference Thursday night regarding the latest* revelations in the Bobby Petrino motorcycle wreck caper. But before Long took the podium, the school shared a statement from Petrino, in which he apologized to his wife, bosses, the school and the entire state for withholding information. He admitted the State Police was report was accurate, and admitted a "previous inappropriate relationship."

The statement:

The state police report provides an accurate description of my accident, which includes details that had not publicly come to light prior to the report being issued. I regret that I have not publicly acknowledged a passenger on the vehicle. I have been in constant pain, medicated and the circumstances involving the wreck have come out in bits and pieces. That said I certainly had a concern about Jessica Dorrell's name being revealed. In my press conference, I referred to her simply as "a lady." My concern was to protect my family and a previous inappropriate relationship from becoming public. In hindsight, I showed a serious mistake in judgment when I chose not to be more specific about those details. Today, I've acknowledged this previous inappropriate relationship with my family and those within the athletic department administration.

I apologize to my wife, Becky, and our four children, Chancellor (David) Gearhart, Jeff Long, the Board of Trustees, University administration, my coaching staff, student-athletes and the entire state of Arkansas. I have been humbled by the outpouring of concern and get well wishes. I apologize to the Razorback Nation for the attention my actions have brought to the University of Arkansas and our program. I will fully cooperate with the University throughout this process and my hope is to repair my relationships with my family, my Athletic Direction, the Razorback Nation and remain the head coach of the Razorbacks.

* The latest, in case you're just now joining us, is that Petrino had a 25-year-old athletic department employee named Jessica Dorrell on his bike. The school had sent out a statement on Monday explicitly stating Petrino was alone during the wreck.

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Bobby Petrino 'Situation' To Be Discussed By Arkansas AD On Thursday Night

When an athletic director is calling a late-night press conference, it's safe to assume something has gone wrong. On Thursday night, Arkansas AD Jeff Long will meet with the media, reportedly to discuss head coach Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident and the news that came to light earlier in the day. Petrino was not alone, instead riding with a 25-year-old female athletic department employee, creating quite the buzz online.

Arkansas AD Jeff Long will meet with media tonight at 9:45 p.m. to "provide an update."

— Chris Bahn (@cbahn) April 6, 2012

While it seems unlikely Petrino will be fired, he could face consequences as stipulated by his contract.

Firing a possibility under the contract. But file this away... "suspension for a period of time without pay."

— Chris Bahn (@cbahn) April 6, 2012

And there's this, which seems to indicate Petrino could be in trouble for lying, or leaving out information, when telling his superiors about the incident.

UA source tells me: "The university didn't lie." Tons of questions remain, but seems clear Petrino didn't share all facts with UA.

— Jeff Hankins (@JeffHankins) April 6, 2012

We'll know more as Long meets with the media in just about 20 minutes.

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Bobby Petrino Police Report: Jessica Dorrell Provided Witness Statement To Arkansas State Police

The story of Bobby Petrino's motorcycle crash took a dramatic turn on Thursday afternoon, when reports surfaced that a 25-year-old female was also a passenger on the bike during the crash. Jessica Dorrell, who works in Arkansas' athletic department, was reportedly traveling with Petrino during the accident.

The police report from the Arkansas State Police clearly lists Dorrell as a passenger with Petrino at the time of the accident. The report also indicates that the State Police interviewed both Petrino and Dorrell on Tuesday, speaking with Petrino at his office at Razorback Stadium. Dorrell also signed a witness statement in which she provided few details, indicating that she did not know the cause of the crash. (PDF of complete Arkansas State Police Report)

The police report conflicts with initial reports and Arkansas' initial statements that Petrino was in an accident that involved no other individuals.

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Did Arkansas Know About Bobby Petrino's Female Passenger?

Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino had a 25-year-old athletic department employee named Jessica Dorrell on the back of his bike during his Sunday night wreck, according to police reports. But earlier in the week, the school released a statement that claimed Petrino was alone.

Here's that statement:

Coach Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening that involved no other individuals. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time.

It's feasible that the school wasn't made aware of Dorrell's presence. She was reportedly taken away in a separate vehicle before Petrino was driven to the hospital.

But if the university didn't know, why specify in the statement that the accident involved no other individuals? Does that seem like a natural thing to include in this sort of release? I don't know. I've never written one. Maybe it is.

Dorrell was photographed with Petrino earlier this year, though she only started her job at Arkansas a week ago. She's also apparently engaged to be married -- to a fellow Arkansas athletic department employee named Josh Morgan. Petrino is married and has children.

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Bobby Petrino Had Female Passenger During Motorcycle Wreck, According To Reports

Multiple reports indicate Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino was not alone during the Sunday night motorcycle accident that left him with broken ribs and a cracked vertebra. According to reports, the coach had a female passenger, 25-year-old Jessica Dorrell, who works for the school's athletic department.

Jessica Dorrell, 25, of Elkins was on motorcycle with Coach Petrino when it crashed, State Police report says.

— Larry Henry (@5NEWSLarry) April 5, 2012

Jessica Dorrell is the student-athlete development coordinator for Arkansas football

— Mike Jacques (@jockosports) April 5, 2012

A bio matching the name appears on the school's website:

Jessica Dorrell, a former All-SEC volleyball player, became the first female member of the fundraising staff of the Razorback Foundation in November 2009. Dorrell assists with membership and fundraising for women's athletics and is the primary coordinator of the annual Red Tie Salute to Excellence Dinner and Auction.

If true, this would certainly prolong the story, to say the least. Petrino is married.

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PHOTO: Bobby Petrino In Neck Brace Before Arkansas Football Practice

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino was released from the hospital Tuesday morning after suffering a motorcycle wreck Sunday night. He's still made it to Arkansas' Tuesday afternoon practice, though his doctors have insisted he only observe proceedings from the press box. Don't ever let anybody tell you Bobby Petrino isn't tough, I suppose.

The worst of his injuries: four broken ribs and a damaged C2 vertebra. He'll be in this neck brace for a week or two. Via @ArkSports360:

Petrino confirmed that he wasn't wearing a helmet during his bike ride and indicated he'll make sure to protect his skull from now on. Though his head itself didn't suffer much damage beyond scrapes and bruises, it's clear from that neck brace just how close this came to being truly serious.

He denied having had anything to drink and said he wasn't speeding at the time. He said the last thing he remembers before the accident was the sun shining in his eyes.

From the sounds of things, he's in good spirits:

Petrino jokes he has no brain damage, but "If I start not punting at all we'll know something is wrong."

— Chris Bahn (@cbahn) April 3, 2012

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Bobby Petrino 'Resting Comfortably' After Motorcycle Crash, Says Arkansas AD Jeff Long

Less than 24 hours after Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach Bobby Petrino was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident, he's said to be doing fine by motorcycle accident standards. University of Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long visited Petrino and his wife Becky in the hospital on Monday, and tweeted out a message indicating that Petrino is 'resting comfortably.'

Late this afternoon I had an opportunity to visit with Coach Petrino and Becky at the hospital. Coach Petrino is resting comfortably and is encouraged by the progress of his recovery. I know that he is very much looking forward to returning to spring practice at the earliest opportunity.

When details about the accident were sparse in the morning many feared that the eventual news about Petrino's condition would be bad, but it looks like he's going to be back on the sidelines in no time.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Bobby Petrino 'Expected To Make Full Recovery,' Arkansas Says

Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach Bobby Petrino was in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident Sunday night, having to be hospitalized through Monday. He's reportedly suffered relatively minor injuries including some broken ribs, but is expected to return to practice as soon as possible.

In a statement, the university offered some good news on Petrino's health status:

Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident Sunday evening near the town of Crosses in Madison County, Ark. Arkansas State Police responded to the accident.

The university is releasing the following statement from coach Petrino's family.

"Coach Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening that involved no other individuals. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time."

Jeff Long, director of athletics and vice chancellor, said he has been in touch with the Petrinos and added that he will consult with the family to provide additional information at a later time. Until then, there will be no further information or comment on the accident per the Petrinos' request.

So there we have it. All is pretty much well in Arkansas.

While we're here, let's watch some college football videos from SB Nation's new YouTube channel together:

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Bobby Petrino Injury Details Include Broken Ribs, According To Report

Head coach Bobby Petrino is expected to return to Arkansas Razorbacks spring practices soon, according to reports, after suffering a motorcycle accident Sunday night. He was hospitalized overnight, and is said to have a number of non-life-threatening injuries.

Specifics about those injuries:

Source close to situation said Bobby Petrino had multiple broken ribs, "all kind of cuts and bruises," neck sprain, but going to be OK.

— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) April 2, 2012

Petrino wrecked the bike by apparently driving off the road at 6:45 p.m. local time, with no other vehicles involved. He's an experienced motorcycle rider, having grown up around bikes and owning a Harley for several years now. He may have to wear some gear to protect his midsection for the rest of spring, but it would probably take more than a couple broken bones to keep him off the sidelines with the spring game just weeks away.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Bobby Petrino Health Status: Injuries 'Not Life-Threatening,' According To Report

Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident Sunday night, and was kept overnight at an area hospital. But he should make a full recovery from his injuries, according to Joe Schad. This is the first report that's been made of his health following the wreck:

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino (cycle accident) is "pretty banged up" but "will recover" person close to coach says

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) April 2, 2012

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino involved in motorcycle accident but injuries not life threatening according to person close to coach

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) April 2, 2012

Petrino is an experienced motorcycle rider, having been around bikes since he was a kid. We don't know yet what caused the accident.

Schad also says Petrino expects to return to practice soon. Arkansas is about halfway through its spring football period.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Despite Crash, Bobby Petrino An Experienced Motorcycle Rider

When news broke that Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino was involved in a Sunday night motorcycle crash, some were surprised to learn that the coach rides bikes. His coaching persona is like that of an angry computer, so it's not easy to picture him piloting dangerous vehicles in his free time.

However, he has plenty of experience riding motorcycles. Chris Bahn digs up some older details on Petrino's hobby. The coach has said he learned to bike as a kid:

Bobby Petrino, on the other hand, graduated from dirt bikes to bigger, more powerful motorcycles. When one of his three sisters was dating her future husband, a young Petrino liked to hop on the boyfriend's Honda motorcycle and take off on it.

And there's this on what might be his current ride:

Petrino told me his wife bought him a Harley in an auction. He said he'd take casual rides around Beaver Lake. #arpreps

— Alex Abrams (@NWAAlex) April 2, 2012

There's still no word on Petrino's health status as of Monday morning.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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Bobby Petrino's Motorcycle Wreck A 'Single-Vehicle Crash,' Police Say

Details of Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino's Sunday night motorcycle accident are starting to make their way out. Via Arkansas Sports 360, Arkansas State Police have commented on the nature of the incident and its general location:

Arkansas State Police was notified of a single vehicle motor vehicle crash along Highway 16 in Madison County near the Crosses community about 6:45 last night (Sunday). The crash involved a motorcycle that had left the roadway. Coach Petrino was the operator of the motorcycle. He was transported to a Washington County medical facility.

The status of Petrino's medical condition is unknown at this point. Word first came out Monday morning that he'd been kept in the hospital overnight, but nothing else has been released about his health status. We'll continue to hope he's all right.

For more on Hogs football, visit Arkansas blog Arkansas Expats, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.