Bobby Petrino hired as new coach at Western Kentucky
BY GARY GRAVES Associated Press
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
12/11/12 at 5:22 AM
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Now that Bobby Petrino is back in the coaching ranks, he wants to make the most of his second chance.
Petrino was introduced Monday as Western Kentucky's new head football coach. The 51-year-old was fired by Arkansas in April for a "pattern of misleading" behavior following an accident in which the coach was injured while riding a motorcycle with his mistress as a passenger.
"At this point in my career, it's about getting back and coaching players," Petrino said. "It just happened to open up at a place we love."
Petrino had a 34-17 record at Arkansas before he was dismissed in the wake of the scandal. Petrino had an affair with former Razorback volleyball player Jessica Dorrell, who he later hired as a football assistant and gave $20,000 in gifts. Petrino said initially he was the only person on the motorcycle but later admitted to Dorrell's presence.
Petrino is replacing Willie Taggart, who left WKU last week to become South Florida's coach.
Western Kentucky gave Petrino a four-year deal with a base annual salary of $850,000. If he terminates the deal at any time, he must re-pay the university $1.2 million.
He returns to the state where he successfully began his head coaching career. Petrino coached at Louisville from 2003-06, going 41-9.
Original Print Headline: W. Kentucky hires Petrino as coach
