APThe most startling, even staggering aspect of the contract signed by Bobby Petrino earlier this week was the buyout numbers contained in the new deal.
According to reports, it would cost $18 million in each of the next two seasons to buy him out of the remainder of the deal. Those blockbuster numbers were a clear sign that Petrino was not going anywhere in the near or distant future, a notion that Petrino put into words in his first talk with the media since the contract agreement was announced.
“This is the place I want to be,” Petrino said in post-practice remarks relayed by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “I’m very happy here. I’m pleased with the dedication the university is making to all sports, but especially football.
“Next December we don’t want to hear names come up in conversations about other jobs coming open. Everyone understands this is where I want to be and this is the job I want.”
Those December conversations Petrino alluded to are obviously a reference to his name coming up in connection to vacancies at Florida and Miami.
Petrino’s new seven-year contract, which replaced the one he originally signed upon coming to the school in December of 2007, will be worth an average of $3.56 million annually. In three years with the Razorbacks, Petrino has compiled a 23-14 record.
From what I understand, that’s a tit-for-tat deal and it’s what it would cost the school to fire him during that same period of time so it offers him the kind of job security that he may need if he has a bad season due to injuries or overrated recruits.
Be Afraid Arkansas Fans!!! Everytime he makes this statement, he leaves shortly there after.
Name one school or professional team that will put out $18 million just to get him out of this contract AND pay him $4 million or more per season for him to coach their team.
Say what you will about Bobby, but he’s got damn good taste…
It’s only a gamble on Arkansas’s part….Petrino is putting $25 mil in his bank acct over the next 7 yrs. He couldn’t have gotten that kind of $$$ anywhere else so he’s smart to lock this down.
He also is under no pressure because even if he went 1-10 and 1-10 it would still cost Hog U $18 mil to buy him out. Only in Fayettville
Petrino says Arkansas ‘is the place I want to be…..today’
as long as Ryan Mallett isn’t arrested for running a dog fighting operation, I think Petrino is fine
Petrino is rebuilding a damaged program, and is turning them into an SEC powerhouse. They will win a National Championship before his tenure is up.
Petrino would have to go totally nuts to get fired. He’s loved in Arkansas, and he’s not going to lose enough for his performance to be an issue. The SEC West is the battleground for Saban and Petrino. It will be fun.
He’s a lying, quitting scumbag. The only question is will he quit before Arkansas goes on NCAA probation
@paintan8
so is Nick Saban,steve spurrier,Lou Holtz, and Sarah Palin, seems like they’re all doing ok lol Arkansas will not be put on probation. I think they’ll lose a few scholarships
Put on probation or lose scholarships for what exactly?
@T
Arkansas admitted to recruiting violations, recruits came in for a visit last weekend and were photographed wearing Razorback Jersey’s with customized name plates on the lockers. Atleast Arkansas admitted to their minor infraction….unlike Auburn