Bobby Petrino returning to Arkansas as OC

Bobby Petrino is returning to Arkansas as offensive coordinator, the school announced Wednesday.

The 62-year-old will earn $1.35 million in the upcoming year before his salary increases to $1.5 million in the following two campaigns, according to a copy of his contract obtained by ESPN's Pete Thamel.

"It's something I hoped would happen," Petrino told ESPN's Chris Low. "Wasn't sure if it ever would, but it is a dream come true to be able to go back to the University of Arkansas and do anything I possibly can to make it right this time."

Petrino spent the 2023 season as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator under head coach Jimbo Fisher, who was recently fired after six seasons with the Aggies.

Petrino was the Razorbacks' head coach from 2008-11 but was fired in April 2012 when it was revealed following a motorcycle crash that he was having an affair with a 25-year-old staffer. Petrino had initially said he was alone on the motorcycle.

Arkansas posted solid campaigns with the 62-year-old on the sideline, winning 10 games in 2010 and 11 in 2011. The school hasn't had a season with double-digit wins since. The Razorbacks went 34-17 across four years under Petrino, who's known for being a premier offensive play-caller.

After being dismissed by Arkansas, Petrino served as head coach at Western Kentucky (2013), Louisville (2014-18), and Missouri State (2020-22) before joining Texas A&M. He helped the Aggies average 34.2 points per game, up from 22.8 in 2022.

Petrino now returns to Arkansas to replace Dan Enos, who was fired in October. The Razorbacks averaged only 26.6 points per contest in 2023, a significant drop from 32.5 last year.

Arkansas decided to keep head coach Sam Pittman for a fifth season despite going 4-8 in 2023.