Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Bobby Petrino has 'unfinished business' in Arkansas after he 'hurt everyone' in 2012 scandal

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Nov 18, 2025 2:28 PM ET

In 2012, Bobby Petrino went from being the most-loved man in Arkansas to someone under intense scrutiny. Following back-to-back 10-win seasons and a victory in the Cotton Bowl in January 2012, he became involved in an off-the-field scandal after a motorcycle accident revealed an affair between Petrino and a former Arkansas volleyball player. The University of Arkansas fired Petrino in April of that year.

Over 13 years later, Arkansas' football program has yet to return to the level of performance it reached under Petrino in Fayetteville. Petrino, who was hired as Arkansas's offensive coordinator in November 2023 and is now the school's interim head coach, understands how his past actions affected the university and the state.

"I hurt everyone in the state, and I feel like I left unfinished business here," Petrino said on the Chuck and Bo Show on Tuesday.

Bobby Petrino searching for success in second stint at Arkansas

Petrino took over as Arkansas' interim head coach in September after Sam Pittman was fired following a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame. While Petrino's skill as an offensive playcaller remains clear, the Razorbacks have not been able to give the interim Head Hog a win in his second stint as head coach.

Petrino is 0-5 as Arkansas' interim head coach this season, with all five of those losses coming by nine points or less.

2025 has been a wasted season for the Razorbacks. Arkansas' focus is entirely on finding the next head coach to lead the program, and while Petrino's contract as OC extends through 2026, it remains unclear whether he plans to stay.

Petrino's name was on the shortlist of potential head-coaching candidates at UA following Pittman's dismissal on Sept. 28. However, a 0-5 record as interim coach probably isn't enough to secure the full-time gig.

"It's certainly something that I would love to do," Petrino said. "But that's not the focus right now. The focus right now is our team right here and finishing up strong."

Petrino, 64, remains a divisive figure among Razorback fans, especially given his struggles to lead Arkansas to a win this season. He still has two opportunities to win and get back into the good graces — at least a little bit — against a pair of rivals.

Arkansas travels to Texas on Nov. 22 and closes out its season at home against Missouri in the Battle Line Rivalry game on Nov. 29.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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