Bobby Petrino was hired as the football coach at Arkansas, capping a whirlwind day in which he stunningly resigned from the Atlanta Falcons after just 13 games.
Petrino was hired to succeed Houston Nutt, who stepped down at Arkansas two weeks ago and became the head coach at Mississippi.
Petrino was introduced as the 30th Razorbacks coach by incoming athletic director Jeff Long at a late-night news conference Tuesday.
“It is a tremendous honor for me to be named the 30th head coach at Arkansas, particularly on a night when we honored Coach (Frank) Broyles for his 50 years service,” Petrino said, referring to former head coach and outgoing athletic director Frank Broyles.
“He’s such a legend and I can’t wait to develop a relationship with him.”
In January, Petrino left as head coach at Louisville to take over in Atlanta, agreeing to a five-year, $24 million contract handed out by a team that felt he could help Michael Vick reach his full potential.
However, the star quarterback came under investigation for a grisly dogfighting operation that led him to plead guilty to federal charges. On Monday Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison without ever taking a snap for Petrino.
On Monday night, the Falcons lost to New Orleans 34-14, and hours later Petrino left the team with a 3-10 record to return to the college ranks.
“Today was a day of decision,” Petrino said. “It was difficult on one side, very easy on the other. It was difficult to leave Atlanta, the staff, players, fans. The timing of it probably the thing that made it most difficult.”
Miles reiterates commitment to Tigers.
LSU coach Les Miles denied once again he is interested in filling Michigan’s head coaching vacancy.
Miles, who is spending this week recruiting for LSU, released a statement in response to a report in the Detroit Free Press that the Tigers’ coach had spoken with Michigan athletic director Bill Martin and school president Mary Sue Coleman late last week.
“I had a conversation with Michigan last week that covered a wide range of topics. I was doing nothing more than helping them with their search for a football coach, just as any loyal alumnus might do. It was nothing more than that,” Miles said.
“I’m not a candidate for that job, and I will not be a candidate for the job,” Miles added.
Miles played and was an assistant coach at Michigan, where he was believed to be a leading candidate to take over after Lloyd Carr resigned in November.
Southern Illinois coach contacted by schools.
Southern Illinois’ Jerry Kill told The Southern newspaper in Carbondale, Ill., that he has been contacted by other schools, but the coach would not say which ones.
Kill spent the afternoon talking with Southern Illinois athletic director Mario Moccia, who said he still has not been contacted by Colorado State athletic director Paul Kowal-czyk for permission to talk to his coach.
“We want to do what we can to keep Coach Kill here,” Moccia said Tuesday and added, “There are finite opportunities for coaches at this level.”
Moccia said Kill earns less than $200,000 annually. Kill has not returned numerous telephone calls.
Auburn offensive coordinator resigns.
Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges resigned after four seasons and will not coach for the Tigers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson.
N.C. State players arrested.
Authorities have charged two North Carolina State athletes with breaking into cars in Cary, N.C.
Police said football player Cedric Hickman and wrestler Christopher Sutton were arrested early Monday. Both were charged with five counts of breaking and entering motor vehicles and five counts of larceny. Sutton also was charged with resisting, delaying and obstructing arrest and possession of stolen goods.
Both players were suspended indefinitely.
Johnson staying at Vandy.
Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson has withdrawn his name from consideration for the head coaching vacancy at Duke.
Nix to Ole Miss.
South Carolina assistant Tyrone Nix has accepted the job as defensive coordinator for new Mississippi coach Houston Nutt.
