Petrino focused on winning, not job future, which is about all he can do

Arkansas interim coach Bobby Petrino says his focus is on helping players win games, not on securing the full-time position

Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino shouts toward a referee during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Razorback Stadium. | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don't expect Arkansas interim coach Bobby Petrino to launch his campaign to be the full-time coach right now.

With the Razorbacks riding a six-game losing streak, the timing isn't anywhere close to right for that.

Bobby's also smart enough to know that wouldn't be in his best interest.

Right now he's just trying to finish the season. Considering the way coaches are getting fired right and left it may not be out of the realm of possibility one of these interim coaches gets dumped before finishing the contract.

Petrino just thinks the attention needs to stay on immediate improvement.

“That’s a question that’s not for me to address right now,” Petrino said. “I think for me to address right now is what do we need to do to go out on the field and put a good product out there, and find a way to win the game. And that’s all I can focus on. That’s all I’m going to focus on.”

Petrino’s comments came roughly a month after athletics director Hunter Yurachek said in late September that Arkansas would provide “the resources necessary” for the next coach to make the Razorbacks competitive in the evolving landscape of college football.

Apparently we're supposed to take that at face value. Considering his track record on anything to do with football, you have to wonder if he even has a clue how big that pool of resources needs to be these days.

The program enters the final stretch of the season looking to end a lengthy conference losing streak and restore belief after another difficult campaign.

Petrino, who was brought back to Fayetteville as offensive coordinator last offseason before being elevated to interim head coach, emphasized that his energy is committed to helping players perform and improve in the short term.

“I’ve got to spend all my energy on our players and on the field,” Petrino said.

Belief in program’s potential amid changing landscape

Petrino was also asked if Arkansas could re-establish itself among the SEC’s upper tier given the rapid changes in college football over recent years.

“Yeah, I don’t think there’s any question in my mind that Arkansas can do that and Arkansas will do that,” Petrino said. “I mean, you know, the revenue sharing now is something that I think helps Arkansas in that aspect.”

You probably didn't expect him to answer that any other way, did you?

The coach knows the upcoming offseason will require significant roster work, especially with a large group of seniors set to depart. He said the transfer portal will play a vital role in replenishing the roster.

He also probably knows there's not going to be much hope for improvement with a constant stream of guys from FCS teams, Division II or third-team players that haven't showed much beyond some hoped-for potential.

“The one thing that’s going to happen is we have a whole group of seniors that are going to be gone, and there’s going to have to be a lot of recruiting from the portal,” Petrino said.

Arkansas’ challenge mirrors many programs navigating the modern realities of roster management and financial balancing within college athletics.

Programs such as Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Kentucky have also leaned heavily on the transfer portal to fill roster gaps, a trend likely to define the offseason across the SEC.

Mississippi State Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby reacts toward an official during the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Bulldogs' Lebby expects challenge from Razorbacks

While Arkansas searches for momentum, Mississippi State enters this weekend’s matchup still seeking its first conference win under coach Jeff Lebby.

The Bulldogs are enduring a 16-game SEC losing streak dating back to the 2023 season, but Lebby dismissed the idea that facing Arkansas represents his team’s best opportunity to end it.

“Not in the least bit,” Lebby said Monday. “We played a team [Florida] a couple of weeks ago that was the best 2-4 team in the country. We’re playing the best 2-6 team in the country this week.”

Lebby praised the Razorbacks’ offensive talent, particularly quarterback Taylen Green, who transferred to Arkansas after starting at Boise State.

“They have a quarterback that is elite at everything he does,” Lebby said. “They have played really well offensively.”

Lebby’s comments reflected both respect for Arkansas’ offense and confidence in his team’s potential improvement.

Mississippi State’s defense has struggled against explosive plays, but the Bulldogs have remained competitive in several SEC games despite the ongoing skid.

Arkansas, Mississippi State both seeking reset

Both programs find themselves searching for stability in transition years.

Arkansas continues to weigh the long-term direction of its football program under Yurachek’s leadership, while Petrino attempts to guide a roster that has shown inconsistency throughout the fall.

Mississippi State, meanwhile, is trying to restore competitiveness after a winless SEC stretch that has tested the patience of fans and players alike.

Arkansas is just trying to avoid that this year.

Key takeaways

• Bobby Petrino declined to discuss his coaching future, emphasizing his focus on helping Arkansas finish the season strong.
• Petrino said he believes Arkansas can return to prominence, citing potential advantages from revenue sharing and transfer portal recruiting.
• Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby praised Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green ahead of Saturday’s matchup, calling him “elite at everything he does.”