Report: Bobby Petrino shakes up staff at Arkansas

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th September, 11:07 2025

Aug 29, 2024; Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino during the second half against the Pine Bluff Golden Lions at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 70-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Interim Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino fired three defensive assistants in his first full day on the job, ESPN reported Monday.

Petrino, appointed after Sunday's firing of Sam Pittman, reportedly fired Razorbacks defensive coordinator Travis Williams, defensive line coach Deke Adams and defensive assistant Marcus Woodson.

The dominoes began falling after Arkansas (2-3, 0-1 SEC) gave up 643 yards of offense in Saturday's 56-13 thrashing by then-No. 22 Notre Dame in Fayetteville, Ark. The Razorbacks gave up 42 points in the first half, their most before halftime of a game since 2005.

Pittman was fired after five-plus seasons with a 32-34 record, including a 3-0 mark in bowl games.

Petrino, who was head coach of the Razorbacks from 2008-11, had been Pittman's offensive coordinator.

Arkansas is off this week and returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 11, at No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1).

Petrino, 64, has a 119-56 record as head coach at Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18), Arkansas and Western Kentucky (2013). He also coached Missouri State to an 18-15 record from 2020-23 before it became an FBS program and spent 13 games as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. With a 3-10 record, he abruptly resigned to take the Arkansas job.

The first go-round at Arkansas for Petrino ended when he was fired after it was discovered he was having an affair with a young staff member in the athletic department.

--Field Level Media

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