FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is scheduled to be released from a local hospital today and is planning to attend his team’s spring practice.
Arkansas provided an update on Petrino’s status after he suffered injuries during a motorcycle accident near the Crosses community in Madison County on Sunday night. Petrino remained hospitalized overnight with injuries that reportedly included broken ribs, but has recovered enough to resume duties with the program.
“Doctors have cleared Coach Petrino to attend practice on Tuesday and observe from the press box,” Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement issued just before noon. “His physicians will continue to monitor his progress throughout his recovery. We look forward to Coach Petrino’s continued improvement and full resumption of his duties as head football coach.
“I want to thank all of those who have kept Coach Petrino and his family in their thoughts and expressed their well wishes for the entire Razorback program.”
Petrino is scheduled to meet with the media before the practice begins. The practice, which is scheduled to begin at 3:50 p.m., is open to the public.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The news came a night after Arkansas signee Vin Ascolese said via Twitter he had spoken to Petrino and the coach said he planned to attend Tuesday’s practice.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe also was asked about Petrino during a press conference in Little Rock earlier today and said he was “encouraged” after a phone conversation.
“He sounded upbeat to me on the phone, and I was encouraged after I hung the phone up,” Beebe said.