University of Arkansas fires football coach Bobby Petrino
Head Coach Bobby Petrino and the Arkansas Razorbacks watches his team warm up before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at War Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2011 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Posted: 04/10/2012
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Arkansas has fired Bobby Petrino, saying he "knowingly misled" and engaged in reckless behavior in a relationship with a female football employee half his age.
The 51-year-old Petrino was injured in an April 1 motorcycle accident. He was put on paid leave last week after admitting he lied about the presence of the 25-year-old employee, Jessica Dorrell, who had been riding with him.
Athletic director Jeff Long says Petrino misled him and gave Dorrell $20,000 at one point, though he said he couldn't disclose what it was for. He says Petrino was fired "with cause" -- meaning he will not receive a multimillion-dollar buyout -- and there were no discussions about ways to keep Petrino at Arkansas.
Fired Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino says he is sorry for what he calls selfish decisions that hurt his family and others.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, Petrino says he has "no one to blame by myself." He said he chose to engage in an improper relationship and then made "several poor decisions" following the end of that relationship.
Petrino says he accepts full responsibility for what happened and someday hopes to coach again. For now, the married father of four is focused on healing his family.
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