Brian Chilson

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.

Advertisement

Material has begun to flow from the athletic department relative to FOI requests made about Petrino, Dorrell and other issues.

For example:

Advertisement

* 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!!”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Do you know what it means? Next article Eric Holder coming to Little Rock