Bobby Petrino returning Arkansas OC position

Bobby Petrino is expected to return to the University of Arkansas football program as the offensive coordinator, reuniting with the team.

Former University of Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino is reportedly in talks to return to the football program as offensive coordinator. It's expected that he will be Coach Sam Pittman's choice for the role, reuniting Petrino with the program he led between 2008-12. ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported Arkansas was considering Petrino, who is currently on staff at Texas A&M.

Petrino's hiring would need to be approved by UA president Donald Bobbitt due to his previous firing for cause by then-Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long in 2012. The Aggies recently introduced Mike Elko as their new head coach, replacing Jimbo Fisher, who hired Petrino last January.

Petrino led the Razorbacks to great success during his previous tenure, with a 34-17 record and a No. 5 ranking in the final Associated Press top 25 poll after the 2011 season. However, he was fired after a scandal involving an affair with a staff member and misconduct regarding her hiring.

Coach Pittman is seeking a full-time replacement for Dan Enos, whom he fired in October. The Aggies just completed a 7-5 regular season, while Arkansas is currently 106th in total offense. Petrino has worked with three starting quarterbacks at Texas A&M, and his offensive prowess is highly respected by Pittman.

Petrino has a strong track record as a head coach at various universities since leaving Arkansas, and his potential return to the Razorbacks has been met with gratitude and respect from Pittman. This potential move would mark Pittman's second consecutive offseason hiring an offensive coordinator, following the replacement of Kendal Briles with Enos last January.