Petrino’s Arkansas Return Meets True Fan Jubilation

Bobby Petrino returns to Arkansas as offensive coordinator, generates thoughts of what-if’s and dreams of what is to come.

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Nov 29, 2023 8:39 AM EST
Original:
Nov 28, 2023

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bobby Petrino returning to Arkansas made it one cold day in Hell. A moment that no one ever saw coming has actually happened. The former head coach’s hiring as offensive coordinator sent shockwaves to all four corners of the Natural State Tuesday.

Texas A&M hired Petrino after a 20-day stint at UNLV as offensive coordinator. Prior to that he spent three years at Missouri State where he went 18-15 with two FCS Playoff appearances. His success at Arkansas from 2008-11 made him a rock star, icon and nearly immortal to the Razorback faithful. To some fans this moment is something they’ve fantasized about for 11 long-suffering years. Here are a few notable reactions to Petrino’s return on social media.

It’s True

Arkansas fans and the college football world couldn’t believe it unless it came from the Petrino camp. There’s nothing like a post with your granddaughter calling the Hogs.

HE’S BACK!

Bringing Back The Golden Days

Petrino always stirred excitement on offense. Since his firing in April 2012, no Razorback coach has proven to be as innovative. He was a risk taker and had a great feel for the flow of a game. One of the many wins that comes to mind is the LSU game in 2010 that helped Arkansas to its first BCS bowl game.

Don’t Hit The Reset Button Just Yet

Following the conclusion of Arkansas’ 48-10 loss to Auburn three weeks ago fans saw no way the ship could be righted. Then, when athletics director Hunter Yurachek backed Pittman for 2024, many thought Razorbacks days of hope vanished. No, this hire doesn’t fix all the wrongs of 2023, but the news simmers the hot seat talk for now.

The 2019 Little Rock Touchdown Club Appearance

Enough time had passed leading up to the event. Fans' ill-will had seemed to dissolve and the base received an apology from the former head coach. No, the heartfelt apology wasn’t needed for many and Petrino didn’t necessarily have to give one, but he did anyway. At the time, Chad Morris was burying the program into the ground, but Petrino encouraged fans to stay being the Razorbacks.

Arkansas Needed An Edge

The landscape of college football is ever-changing when it comes to NIL and transfer portal. Both topics go hand in hand with one another. The announcement of the new Arkansas Edge NIL collective was met with a low amount of fanfare with the catch of raise a million and the amount will be matched. Then, Pete Thamel’s post on X about Petrino’s potential return to Fayetteville added much intrigue. The news on both fronts was great marketing achieved by athletic director Hunter Yurachek.

News So Unbelievable

Generational Quarterback Meet Offensive Genius

Arkansas definitely needs to win more to impress in-state recruits and around the country. When a top prospect sits just in your back yard, it’s imperative that he become a Razorback in some way. That must be the case with Greenwood superstar quarterback Kane Archer. The Bulldogs sophomore was electric this season and holds offers from Michigan, Arizona, Florida State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Oh, Petrino might have a solid relationship with him already with the interest from the Aggies.

Razorback fans weren't only trying to use Petrino to recruit Archer. The second they saw wide receiver Tyrone Broden post a simple emoji, they took the opportunity to bombard him with reasons he should come back and play under Petrino.

Something No One Else Saw Coming

Hell was to be considered frozen over when CM Punk returned to WWE this weekend. He was never supposed to work with the company again after tensions apparently got so high between he and WWE CEO Vince McMahon, Punk said he fired via Fed Ex delivery on his wedding day.

In a similar situation with Petrino, he was never coming back to Arkansas, but yet here he is. He demands excellence and execution at a high level. So a return to clean offensive football should be imminent. The Razorbacks’ new offensive coordinator isn’t here to be a buddy. He's here to win and make a lot of money.