Bobby Petrino is BACK as a head coach in the SEC as Arkansas fires Sam Pittman
Arkansas has fired Sam Pittman after putting together a 32-34 record since making his debut in 2020, but that’s not why you’re reading this — he never even coached against Kentucky during his time with the Razorbacks. You’re reading this because someone plenty familiar with Kentucky is taking over in Pittman’s place.
Come on down, Bobby Petrino. YOU are the next head coach in Fayetteville, at least the rest of the way in 2025.
Petrino coached at Louisville from 2003-06, followed by a move to the Atlanta Falcons for 13 games before taking over at Arkansas from 2008-11. He was then fired after covering up an affair with a former Razorback volleyball player, whom he had hired as a staffer, revealed following a motorcycle accident in which she was a passenger.
Western Kentucky gave him his next shot in 2013, followed by a return to Louisville from 2014-18, then a three-year run at Missouri State from 2020-22. He became an offensive coordinator at UNLV for 21 days before heading to Texas A&M, then made the move to Arkansas under Pittman in 2023.
And now 14 years after he was fired in Fayetteville, he’s the interim head coach again with Pittman dismissed. Funny how life works, huh?
Petrino has a career coaching record of 137-71 in college, headlined by records of 77-35 at Louisville and 34-17 at Arkansas, making up his longest stops. Could he stick around with the Razorbacks this time around? The program has confirmed that the 64-year-old is a legitimate long-term candidate for the job, saying he will be included in the upcoming coaching search.
Top 10
- 1
UK vs. UGA spread
Cats a massive underdog
- 2
Back to Work
Stoops confident UK is better team
- 3New
Petrino back as Arkansas HC
Sam Pittman has been fired
- 4Breaking
Tay Kinney picks Kansas
UK, UL were in the mix
- 5Trending
Catastrophe at SC
UK suffered another SEC loss
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“I want to thank Coach Pittman for his service and dedication to the University of Arkansas throughout his time as head coach,” Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “From Day 1, you could tell how much this opportunity meant to him. At this time, however, I feel a change is necessary to put our student-athletes and program in the best position to be successful. The goal for our football program is to be highly competitive within the Southeastern Conference and compete for a national championship.
“As we move forward in the process of finding our next head coach, I am certain we will be able to provide the necessary resources to our staff and team to reach our goals. We will begin a national search for our next head coach immediately and that search will include Coach Petrino, who has expressed his desire to be a candidate for the full-time job.”
On3’s Pete Nakos includes Petrino among eight total names to keep an eye on for the job, joined by none other than Tulane’s Jon Sumrall on the hot board. That’d certainly be less than ideal for Kentucky fans hoping he takes over in Lexington sooner rather than later.
Until then, we soak in one of the most bizarre full-circle coaching moments in recent memory. From the infamous neck brace presser to leading the program once again in 2025.
Bobby is back, baby!
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard