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Bobby Petrino has been on the job at Arkansas for less than a week, but it hasn’t stopped him from making major waves. The former offensive coordinator and head coach sent a stray flying Clemson’s way when asked about sign stealing in college football.
He did so while making his case for in-helmet headsets, a communication system used at both the high school and NFL levels that helps defend against those signal thieves.
The comment came during Petrino’s introduction presser after being hired in Fayetteville. His second stint with the Hogs, it will be an interesting storyline to follow in the coming year.
Petrino, of course, was the Razorbacks‘ head coach from 2008 to 2011. While he racked up 21 wins over his final two seasons, he was fired amid offseason controversy.
A motorcycle accident was at the root of that drama as it was discovered Petrino had a passenger riding with him during the crash. That woman, whom he gave a job in the athletic department, was having an affair with the coach.
Fired with cause, Arkansas actually had to skirt a university rule in order to hire him a second time, but they felt the reward outweighed the risk.
He will be the team’s next offensive coordinator after serving a season at Texas A&M.
Bobby Petrino takes shot at Clemson in intro presser.
Petrino was asked about the sign stealing scandals that have ripped through college football this season, and he offered a solution. It’s one that many around the sport have suggested.
Helmet headsets for players.
Being able to communicate directly without using hand signals would, in theory, lessen the chance that signs are stolen. While giving that explanation, he threw an unexpected shot at Clemson.
New Arkansas OC Bobby Petrino says Clemson used to steal signals all the time on the sideline … pic.twitter.com/J1BWd1jfT5
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) November 30, 2023
“I do know that when you went and played Clemson, they were going to have your signals,” Petrino said. “Guys on the sideline standing there with a sheet of paper with the signals on it, and that was tough.
“The SEC and the ACC have talked for years about putting the piece in the ear. One of the issues that you always have in the NCAA is that everyone has a vote.”
Prior to his time at Arkansas, Petrino was the head coach at Louisville.
Over four seasons, he went 41-9. He was then hired again by the Cardinals after his tenure with the Razorbacks, coaching another five years. That second UL stint came after the team moved to the ACC.
Petrino was 0-5 against the Tigers.
It’s not the first time we’ve heard this narrative surrounding Clemson. Earlier this year, an unnamed coach accused the Tigers of sending people to scout LSU at the 2019 SEC Championship Game.
ESPN’s Alex Scarborough and Adam Rittenberg wrote that Clemson defensive coordinator (and now Oklahoma head coach) Brent Venables “has long been the focal point of sign-stealing speculation, according to multiple sources, though no one has publicly accused him of anything illegal.”
Bobby Petrino has come out guns blazing since being hired at Arkansas. Aside from the jab at Clemson, he threw former Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher under the bus for his massive ego and inability to surrender control of the Texas A&M offense.
We’ll wait and see who the next victim is as Petrino sets up shop in Fayetteville.