Hogs Hire Petrino as Head Football Coach - WMC Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Hogs Hire Petrino as Head Football Coach

Petrino hired at Arkansas hours after resigning as Falcons coach

By NOAH TRISTER

AP Sports Writer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - 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 Monday 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 think that made it most difficult."