Late last night, Bobby Petrino sent word to the University of Arkansas that he would not appeal his firing as football coach over his relationship with staff football player development coordinator Jessica Dorrell. They’d had an intimate relationship that he didn’t disclose when he hired her and he initially lied about her presence during his April 1 motorycle accident.
Material has begun to flow from the athletic department relative to FOI requests made about Petrino, Dorrell and other issues.
For example:
* HIRING: Here’s the paperwork beginning late last February on the posting of the job for which Dorrell was hired. You’ll find the university waived the normal 30-day advertisement period for the process because of Petrino’s stated urgency in filling the position. Three candidates, including Dorrell were interviewed. Petrino recommended her hiring because, his note said, she had the “best experience” and would be the “best fit.” Petrino recommended her March 21, eight days before the posting for the job expired and one day after, on a Sunday, director of football operations Mark Robinson sent an e-mail asking that Dorrell be added to the list of candidates that eventually reached 159.
* TEXTING: Here’s the full list of Bobby Petrino texts released to press yesterday, from around the hiring date for Dorrell and after the news broke April 5 that Petrino hadn’t been truthful. In the immediate aftermath, Petrino managed to still talk about football. Last message to Long: “I just want you to know how sorry I am this happened!!”
Petrino’s exit from contesting the matter won’t end the rehash of course. And there’s still the matter of Dorrell’s situation. She was placed on administrative leave the university said Thursday. I’ve yet to receive from the UA a copy of the conflict of interest form university of employees are required to file. I’m guessing it won’t detail any past relationship, financial or otherwise, from the man who picked her. Don’t know if that might bear on her future there.
PS — Athletic Director Jeff Long has resumed Twittering, with a note of appreciation for fans. He had gone silent April 5.
UPDATE: Here’s the note sent last night to Jeff Long by representatives Russ Campbell and Patrick Strong, provided to Campbell, who practices in Birmingham:
Jeff, consistent with Coach Petrino’s previous statement, he accepts responsibility for the events that led to the University’s decision to terminate his employment. Although extremely disappointed, he respects the University’s decision and will not avail himself of the University’s administrative appeal process.
Coach Petrino and his family wish nothing but the best for both the Razorback football program and University of Arkansas.
Please let us know if you have any questions.