History of Bobby Petrino in Timeline
Robert Patrick Petrino is a well-known figure in American college football coaching. He currently serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Petrino's career has seen him hold head coach positions at various institutions, including the University of Arkansas, Louisville Cardinals (twice), Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, and Missouri State Bears. His time at the University of Arkansas ended with his dismissal in 2012 due to an extramarital affair scandal. In 2007, Petrino briefly coached the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.
March 10, 1961: Birth of Bobby Petrino
Robert Patrick Petrino was born on March 10, 1961.
1971: Start of Father's Coaching Career
Bobby Petrino's father, Bob Petrino Sr., began his tenure as head coach of Carroll College in 1971.
1976: Lou Holtz's Short Coaching Tenure
In 1976, Lou Holtz's time as a head coach was tied for the third shortest non-interim coaching tenure in NFL history.
1977: Last 11-Win Season
The Arkansas Razorbacks last achieved an 11-win season in 1977.
1979: High School Graduation
Bobby Petrino graduated from Capital High in 1979.
1983: Graduation from Carroll College
Bobby Petrino graduated from Carroll College with a degree in physical education and a minor in math in 1983. He also began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Carroll College the same year.
1985: Offensive Coordinator at Carroll College
Bobby Petrino returned to his alma mater, Carroll College, as the offensive coordinator in 1985.
1987: Return to Weber State
Bobby Petrino returned to Weber State as the receivers coach in 1987.
1988: Continuing at Weber State
Bobby Petrino continued his role as receivers coach at Weber State in 1988.
1989: Coaching at the University of Idaho
Bobby Petrino became the quarterbacks coach at the University of Idaho under head coach John L. Smith in 1989.
1990: Missouri State's Playoff Drought
Before Petrino's arrival in 2020, Missouri State had not participated in the FCS playoffs since 1990.
1992: Moving to Arizona State University
Bobby Petrino joined Arizona State University as the quarterbacks coach in 1992.
1994: Coaching at the University of Nevada
Bobby Petrino began his role as both offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Chris Ault at the University of Nevada in 1994.
1997: Louisville's Struggles
The Louisville Cardinals football team experienced a difficult season in 1997, winning six fewer games than in the subsequent year.
1998: Offensive Coordinator at Louisville
Bobby Petrino became the offensive coordinator at Louisville in 1998.
1999: End of Father's Coaching Career
Bob Petrino Sr. concluded his long career as head coach of Carroll College in 1999.
1999: Joining the Jacksonville Jaguars
Bobby Petrino began his first stint in the NFL in 1999 with the Jacksonville Jaguars as quarterbacks coach.
2001: Offensive Coordinator for the Jaguars
By 2001, Bobby Petrino was the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2002: Offensive Coordinator at Auburn
Bobby Petrino returned to college football as the offensive coordinator at Auburn in 2002.
2003: First Stint as Louisville Head Coach
Bobby Petrino began his first stint as the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals football team in 2003.
2004: Success at Louisville
Bobby Petrino led Louisville to 11 wins in 2004, marking one of the few times in the Cardinals' history achieving this feat.
July 13, 2006: Signing a 10-Year Contract with Louisville
On July 13, 2006, Bobby Petrino signed a 10-year, $25.6 million contract to remain head coach at Louisville.
2006: Successful Season and Departure from Louisville
Bobby Petrino's Louisville Cardinals had a very successful season in 2006, but he left to coach in the NFL after the season.
2006: Historic Season for Louisville
In 2006, Bobby Petrino led Louisville to one of their most successful seasons ever, culminating in a 12-win season and an Orange Bowl appearance.
January 7, 2007: Joining the Atlanta Falcons
On January 7, 2007, shortly after signing a long-term deal with Louisville, Bobby Petrino accepted the head coaching position for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.
December 10, 2007: Resignation from the Falcons
On December 10, 2007, with the Falcons struggling, Bobby Petrino resigned to become head coach at Arkansas. He informed his players by leaving a note at their lockers, a move that was highly criticized.
2007: Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations
Before the end of the 2007 NFL season, Bobby Petrino engaged in discussions with Arkansas about their head coaching position.
2007: Petrino Leaves Louisville
Bobby Petrino departed from his position as head coach of Louisville in 2007.
2007: Michael Vick's Legal Troubles
In 2007, Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was involved in an illegal dog fighting operation, impacting the team's performance.
2008: Start of Arkansas Tenure
Bobby Petrino became the head football coach at the University of Arkansas in 2008.
2008: Jurich Comments on Petrino's Tenure
In 2008, Tom Jurich spoke about Bobby Petrino's tenure as head coach, expressing concerns about player dismissals and program-building.
2008: Razorbacks End Season 5-7
The Arkansas Razorbacks, under coach Bobby Petrino, concluded the 2008 season with a 5-7 record. Their two conference wins were against Auburn and LSU.
October 17, 2009: Controversial Loss to Florida Gators
On October 17, 2009, the Arkansas Razorbacks narrowly lost to the top-ranked Florida Gators. The game ended with a contentious call on an Arkansas lineman for a personal foul in the fourth quarter. The SEC later acknowledged the error and suspended the officiating crew.
2009: Few Players from Petrino's Recruiting Class Remain
By 2009, only a small number of players from Bobby Petrino's final recruiting class at Louisville were still on the team.
2010: Razorbacks Finish Season 10-2
The Arkansas Razorbacks finished the 2010 season with a 10-2 record, securing a spot in the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State.
July 8, 2011: Ohio State Vacates Sugar Bowl Win
On July 8, 2011, Ohio State University vacated its win against Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl due to NCAA violations.
2011: End of Successful Period at Arkansas
Bobby Petrino's tenure as head football coach at the University of Arkansas, marked by success, concluded in 2011.
2011: Razorbacks Finish Season 11-2
Concluding the 2011 season, the Arkansas Razorbacks achieved an 11-2 record, marking their third season with 11 wins in the program's history.
April 1, 2012: Petrino Involved in Motorcycle Accident
On April 1, 2012, Bobby Petrino was in a motorcycle crash with Jessica Dorrell, a former Arkansas volleyball player he had hired, as a passenger. Initially, Petrino claimed to be alone, but later admitted to an extramarital affair with Dorrell.
August 2012: Petrino Expresses Remorse in Interview
Bobby Petrino participated in an interview with ESPN's Joe Schad, expressing regret and remorse for his actions leading to his termination.
December 4, 2012: Bret Bielema Named Head Coach
Bret Bielema became the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks on December 4, 2012, taking over for interim coach John L. Smith.
December 10, 2012: Petrino Hired by Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky appointed Bobby Petrino as their head coach on December 10, 2012. Petrino agreed to a four-year contract with an annual salary of $850,000.
2012: Dismissal from Arkansas
Bobby Petrino was dismissed from his position at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2012 for covering up an extramarital affair.
2012: Razorbacks Win Cotton Bowl Classic
The Arkansas Razorbacks triumphed in the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic, defeating Kansas State with a final score of 29-16.
2013: Coaching at Western Kentucky
Bobby Petrino served as head football coach of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in 2013.
January 9, 2014: Petrino Returns to Louisville
On January 9, 2014, Bobby Petrino's return to Louisville as head coach was officially announced.
2014: Return to Louisville
Bobby Petrino returned as head coach for the Louisville Cardinals football team in 2014.
2014: Eric Crawford Recalls Jurich's Criticism
In 2014, WDRB's Eric Crawford revisited Tom Jurich's criticism of Bobby Petrino's time as head coach.
2015: Successful Start to Petrino's Second Tenure
The period from 2015 to 2017 marked a successful period during Bobby Petrino's second stint as head coach at Louisville.
2016: Lamar Jackson's Heisman Season
During the 2016 season, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson had a Heisman-winning season, but the team's offensive line struggled, resulting in Jackson being sacked 47 times.
2017: End of Successful Period
The year 2017 marked the conclusion of a successful period during Bobby Petrino's second stint as head coach at Louisville.
November 11, 2018: Petrino Fired by Louisville
Louisville dismissed Bobby Petrino from his position as head coach on November 11, 2018, citing a lack of player response and a need for change.
2018: Firing from Louisville
Bobby Petrino was fired from his position as head coach for the Louisville Cardinals during the 2018 season.
2018: Petrino's Tenure Ends at Louisville
In 2018, Bobby Petrino's time as head coach at Louisville effectively ended after a locker room outburst following a loss to Florida State. The team's performance declined, and he lost the support of his players.
September 9, 2019: Petrino Addresses Termination at Event
During an event at the Little Rock Touchdown Club on September 9, 2019, Bobby Petrino discussed the circumstances surrounding his termination in 2012.
January 15, 2020: Petrino Hired by Missouri State
On January 15, 2020, Missouri State University appointed Bobby Petrino as their head football coach, replacing Dave Steckel.
2020: Leading Missouri State Bears
Bobby Petrino began his tenure as the head coach of the Missouri State Bears in 2020.
2021: Urban Meyer's Short Coaching Tenure
Urban Meyer's time as a head coach in 2021 tied for the third shortest non-interim coaching tenure in NFL history.
December 15, 2022: Petrino Joins UNLV
On December 15, 2022, Bobby Petrino was appointed as the offensive coordinator for the UNLV Rebels under head coach Barry Odom.
2022: End of Missouri State Bears Tenure
Bobby Petrino concluded his time as the head coach of the Missouri State Bears in 2022.
2022: Missouri State's Regression and Near Upset
In 2022, Petrino's final season at Missouri State saw the team decline to a 5-6 record, including a near upset against Petrino's former team, Arkansas.
2022: Details About Arkansas Move Revealed
In 2022, details emerged about Bobby Petrino's move to Arkansas in 2007, revealing behind-the-scenes negotiations and his resignation from the Falcons.
January 4, 2023: Petrino Departs UNLV for Texas A&M
After a brief stint at UNLV, Petrino left on January 4, 2023, to take up the offensive coordinator position at Texas A&M.
November 29, 2023: Petrino Returns to Arkansas
Eleven years after being fired due to a scandal, Bobby Petrino returned to the Arkansas Razorbacks as offensive coordinator under head coach Sam Pittman on November 29, 2023.
2023: Offensive Coordinator at Texas A&M
Bobby Petrino served as the offensive coordinator for the Texas A&M Aggies football in 2023.
