Bobby Petrino is back in Arkansas, but while he’s taking over the offense for the first time since he led the program in 2011, Petrino has already given an apology.

Petrino in 2019 made an appearance at the Little Rock Touchdown Club, and reflected on how he immediately jumped at the chance to talk with Razorback fans. He also became emotional speaking to the fans, and received a standing ovation.

“I wanted to be able to come here and apologize to everybody, the fans, the players,” he said, “and truly tell you how sorry I am for the way it ended. But I also wanted to come here and thank you for people in this room and this state did for me and my family. You’re great to us.”

“You’re a special, special group, special crowd,” he said. “And you don’t really understand the affect you have on the players, their families and the support and how much that means. There’s no question, the Hogs can come back. But they’re going to need everybody’s help here, so stay with them, and keep supporting them. Because you are what makes the University of Arkansas a special job.”

Petrino is most remembered at Arkansas for being fired in April of 2012, and therefore his hiring this time had to be approved by President Donald Bobbitt, based on university policy.

Petrino led the Razorbacks to a 34-17 record between 2008-2011, capped by an 11-2 mark and a ranking of No. 5 in the final Associated Press top 25 poll after the 2011 season.

But he was fired after a wreck on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on April 1 led to the discovery of his affair with staffer Jessica Dorrell and that he didn’t disclose the relationship when she was hired. Petrino did not disclose Dorrell’s presence during the wreck to Long until a police report brought that information to light.

After stints at Western Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri State and most recently Texas A&M as offensive coordinator, Petrino wasn’t retained by new coach Mike Elko after Jimbo Fisher was fired earlier this month. The Aggies beat the Razorbacks 34-22 on Sept. 30.