FAYETTEVILLE — Some of the details surrounding the final week of Bobby Petrino’s tenure at Arkansas became a little clearer Thursday, when text messages still available on the coach’s university-issued cell phone were obtained through a Freedom of Information request.
The exchanges with athletic director Jeff Long and others provided a peek at the coach’s apologies and concern while his job status was being reviewed. Most of the messages — which included only those sent to and from other athletic department employees — were between his motorcycle accident and firing on April 10.
“Hey Jeff I’m just sitting around wondering what I should be doing??” Petrino said in one text message to Long on April 7, while he was on paid administrative leave. “I just want you to no (sic) how sorry I am that this all happened!!”
Petrino revealed to Long on April 5 he had Jessica Dorrell, who he hired for a position in the football program, on the back of his motorcycle when he crashed. It was a detail he did not disclose when the accident occurred.
Long said previously he wasn’t informed of that fact until Petrino told him at approximately 3:12 p.m. on April 5. Long sent Petrino a text at 3:43 saying: “Bobby we need to talk sooner. I’ll call you when I get back to town. Jeff”
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Long announced later that night he had placed Petrino on administrative leave while he reviewed the details surrounding the accident and his relationship with the 25-year-old Dorrell. Petrino sent Long a text message the next morning saying he appreciated how he “handled last night.”
“Let me know if we need to get together again,” the text continued. “I’m at your disposal and will do whatever it takes to keep you in my camp and remain your coach. Feeling a little better today.”
Petrino broke four ribs and suffered a fractured vertebrae in the motorcycle accident. Long said he was not informed about it until approximately 1 a.m. on April 2. Long sent consecutive text messages to Petrino at 12:58 a.m. that said “Hey!!! You” and “Ok?!!!” Long texted Petrino again the next morning at 8:56 a.m., saying: “Bobby, respect your privacy but would like to hear from you. Let me know how you are. Jeff”
Long checked on Petrino’s health in the next couple of days, too, telling the coach not to “push too far” as he recovered from injuries.
A few days later, Petrino was placed on paid administrative leave. While his status was being reviewed, Long was in contact with senior associate athletic director Chris Wyrick.
Wyrick texted Petrino on April 6 and said: “Times like this prove who your friends are—I am a Petrino guy and my support of you through this will be 100% unwavering. Feel free to contact me if I can help or you need some insight.”
Petrino asked later how the day went and Wyrick responded: “From my stand point, calls and text are 10 to 1 positive. Trustees and politicos are leaving Jeff alone and that is a good thing. Those that have your back are 100 percent behind you.”
Wyrick also wondered if Long had “EVERYTHING” needed for his review. Petrino said “Yes I believe he does.” Petrino showed concern for his job by responding to another text fro Wyrick with “Thank you!!! Is the mood to fire me or to keep me???”
Wyrick texted Petrino back by saying, “I can’t honestly speak to his pulse on that, but my gut is he wants it to work. You have done the job and most feel like you are due a mulligan.”
But that didn’t happen. The last message from Petrino’s phone received through the FOI request came April 7. Long fired Petrino four days later.