Bobby Petrino Makes Comeback to Arkansas 11 Years After Jessica Dorrell Controversy
Bobby Petrino is making a comeback to the University of Arkansas as the new offensive coordinator, 11 years after his controversial exit as head coach. His firing came after the scandal involving his affair with Jessica Dorrell, a Razorbacks student assistant and volleyball player. This marked a significant fall from grace for Petrino, who had been a highly regarded coach prior to the scandal.
The most memorable image from his first stint with the Razorbacks was the press conference where he appeared in a neck brace, attempting to explain the circumstances surrounding his dismissal. Now, as he returns to the program, fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how Petrino’s second chapter unfolds at Arkansas.
In April 2012, Bobby Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in four broken ribs and a damaged C2 vertebra.
Initially, he stated he was riding solo during the incident.
However, it was later revealed that Jessica Dorrell, a student and volleyball player, was with him, leading to the public disclosure of their romantic relationship and ultimately contributing to his downfall as head football coach.
At the time of the affair, Petrino was married to his wife, Becky, and the couple remains together today.
Jessica Dorrell maintained a low public profile throughout the scandal, likely due to sound legal counsel, and was engaged to Josh Morgan, the University’s Director of Swimming and Diving Operations, during this period.
Although their wedding website was shut down due to public defacement, the couple ultimately went through with their marriage the following year.
Petrino, Dorrell, and Morgan all left the University of Arkansas shortly after the scandal, but with Petrino’s return to the Razorbacks, it’s worth revisiting the events surrounding this controversy.
Jessica Dorrell landed a prestigious job at the university, a position for which 159 other candidates reportedly applied. Additionally, she received generous gifts from Petrino, including a $20,000 sum believed to be a Christmas present. Thus, in addition to deceiving his boss about the motorcycle accident, Petrino was engaging in an extramarital affair with a student and leveraging his influence to benefit her career.
One might argue he was simply “paying her off” as well. Thus, when reports emerged that Arkansas was “vetting” Petrino, it came across as nothing short of unintentional comedy. This also effectively dispels the notion that “cancel culture” has any real significance.
Petrino spent the past season as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M after previous head coaching roles at Missouri State, Louisville, and Western Kentucky. He was out of football for less than a year following the scandal, making it hard to claim he truly faced any significant consequences for his actions.
After leaving the University of Arkansas, Jessica Dorrell secured a new position with the South Carolina Association of School Administrators just a few months later.
Paul M. Banks is the owner and manager of The Sports Bank. He is also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
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Source: https://www.thesportsbank.net/college-fball/jessica-dorrell-bobby-petrino-arkansas/