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Bobby Petrino sends thank you letter to Arkansas fans for second stint as coach amid Razorbacks' coaching search

by: Alex Byington15 hours ago_AlexByington

Arkansas interim head football coach Bobby Petrino released a heartfelt statement Wednesday thanking Razorbacks fans for embracing him and giving him a “second chance” in Fayetteville. Petrino’s message comes amid reports Arkansas has narrowed its coaching search and is reportedly close to naming a successor to former head coach Sam Pittman, who was fired Sept. 28 in the midst of his sixth season.

Check out Petrino’s “thank you” message below:

“Razorback Family, second chances are hard to come by in this business, and I know how rare it is to return to a place that has always meant so much. Being back on the Arkansas sideline has been both an honor and a privilege, and I’ve appreciated every day of it,” Petrino’s statement on X/Twitter read. “No matter how this weekend turns out, my pride in this team won’t change. These players showed up, went to work, faced adversity the right way, and stayed committed to each other. That’s all any coach can ask for. I’m equally proud of our staff, who never settled for excuses and instead showed up every day, kept the standard high, and gave these players every ounce they had.

Bobby Petrino: ‘Whatever the future holds, I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to lead this team again’

“And to the Razorbacks fans, THANK YOU! You welcomed me back with the same pride and passion that make this place so unique. You stood by this team, you showed up, and you reminded me why Arkansas isn’t just a job — it’s a family. Whatever the future holds, I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to lead this team again and to be a part of the Arkansas community once more. From my family to yours, I wish everyone a safe and blessed Thanksgiving. With respect and appreciation, Bobby Petrino. WPS.”

The Razorbacks (2-9, 0-7 SEC) are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak, including 0-6 with Petrino as the interim head coach, and enter Saturday’s season finale against rival Missouri (3:30 pm ET, SEC Network) with a decision on the Razorbacks’ next head football coach expected at any time.

As he mentioned, the 64-year-old Petrino is in the midst of his second coaching stint at Arkansas, where he was the Razorbacks’ head coach between 2008-2011 before being fired in April 2012 after a now-infamous motorcycle accident uncovered Petrino was involved in an affair with a former student-athlete.

Petrino returned to Fayetteville in 2024 as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, serving under Pittman for 18 games across 1 1/2 seasons before being promoted to interim head coach following Pittman’s midseason firing in late September. Petrino was reportedly considered among those in contention to replace Pittman on a full-time basis, but the Razorbacks’ continued struggles this season likely ended any chance he’d be retained beyond this season.