FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is in stable condition at a Washington County hospital after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening.
Petrino’s family released a statement through Arkansas on Monday morning, hours after Arkansas State Police spokesperson Bill Sadler confirmed Petrino had been hospitalized following a single vehicle crash along Highway 16 near the Crosses community in Madison County. Sadler said Petrino was operating a motorcycle that left the roadway near Crosses, which is roughly 20 miles southeast of Fayetteville.
“He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery,” the Petrino family statement read. “Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time.”
Petrino, 51, is entering his fifth season as Arkansas’ coach and has guided the Razorbacks to a 21-5 record the past two seasons. It includes the school’s first Bowl Championship Game berth when it played in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. Arkansas also equaled a school record for wins last season, going 11-2.
Petrino spends most of his time around Arkansas football, but riding motorcycles is one of his hobbies. He explained during a 2008 interview with the Morning News of Northwest Arkansas.
“It’s relaxing to me,” Petrino said in the story. “You get out and you get to see good scenery, and I like to ride up to Beaver Lake. It’s pretty up there. I’ve been around the outdoors. I grew up around the outdoors my whole life.”
Arkansas is in the middle of spring football practices. The Razorbacks held their first scrimmage last Friday. Arkansas is scheduled to be on the field Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.