By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino developed a national reputation for bouncing from job to job.
Fair or unfair, the tag was attached thanks to moves made throughout his career, including head coaching stops at Louisville and with the Atlanta Falcons.
But Petrino wanted to make something clear when he agreed to terms on a new seven-year deal — which includes an $18 million buyout — with Arkansas last week.
“This is where I want to be,” Petrino said. “I like what we’re building here. … I’m very excited about what we’re building, what our staff has done and how we are competing at the highest level in college football.”
Petrino spoke to the media for the first time since the details of his seven-year agreement with Arkansas were revealed. The Hogs stepped back on the practice field to continue preparation for Ohio State and the 2011 Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4, but his thoughts on the new deal and what it means for Arkansas’ future remained the hot topic.
The terms of the agreement will pay Petrino an average of $3.56 million annually, making him one of the highest paid coaches in the Southeastern Conference. But it’s the buyout that continues to catch everyone’s attention, serving as proof Petrino might just be sticking around Arkansas for most, if not all, of the contract.
It opens at $18 million for two seasons and drops just under it in 2013. The buyout falls slowly throughout the rest of the contract, settling at $3.925 in 2017.
Those numbers shout commitment, something that hadn’t been attached to Petrino’s name often in headlines. It may also ensure his name doesn’t emerge as a potential candidate when there are openings.
“The reason we have such a big buyout is because next December at this time we don’t want to have to hear names come up in conversations about other jobs being open,” Petrino said. “Everybody understands this is where I’m going to be. This is the job I want.
“Next year we don’t have to worry about anything.”
Arkansas enjoyed a banner regular season under Petrino in 2010, going 10-2 in the SEC West. It didn’t result in a championship, but was enough to help Arkansas earn an at-large berth in its first BCS game.
Petrino is 23-14 in three seasons with the Razorbacks and the contract was a reward for the way he has built the program since the messy divorce under former coach Houston Nutt in 2007. Arkansas opened the 2010 season ranked and, for the first time since 1989, remained there.
Arkansas had preseason hopes of winning the SEC title, something division rival Auburn accomplished. But Arkansas fans are hoping Petrino’s new agreement means the Razorbacks are a step closer to getting there.
“The competition that you have week-in and week-out, it’s very, very tough,” Petrino said. “But it’s a lot of fun. It’s something that is a great challenge.”
Arkansas has shown its commitment to winning in other ways, getting Petrino’s seal of approval on plans to build a football operations center with an estimated price tag between $25 to $34 million. The Razorbacks are raising funds for the project and hope to have the center completed in two years.
Arkansas is also working to secure Petrino’s coaching staff as well, something he revealed during Thursday’s press conference. Petrino wants to keep the group staff intact. He said new contracts are in the works and believes they’re “going to get done here really quick.”
Petrino reiterated once again Thursday both he and his family are happy in Northwest Arkansas. So agreeing to terms on a big deal — with an enormous buyout that should keep him in place as Arkansas’ coach for the foreseeable future — was “not a hard decision.”
“It’s something we’re really happy about,” Petrino said.
