Bobby Petrino Salary: How much does the Arkansas OC make with the Razorbacks?

While Arkansas came up short of a memorable upset on the road at Oklahoma State, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino remains a topic of interest. After Arkansas's offense struggled in 2023, Sam Pittman hired Petrino as offensive coordinator. Early returns suggest that Petrino will help Arkansas greatly. But how lucrative is the position for the well-travelled Petrino?

How much does Bobby Petrino earn as offensive coordinator at Arkansas?

The return of Bobby Petrino to Arkansas drew positive reviews from some Arkansas students in November. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Petrino's contract calls for a $1.5 million salary in 2024 and $1.6 million in 2025. That compensation puts Petrino comfortably in the middle of the top ten highest paid offensive coordinators in college football. Of course, there aren't many offensive coordinators with resumes as impressive as Petrino's.

The good side of Bobby Petrino

Petrino has a 137-71 record as a college head coach. He coached Louisville to a pair of top 10 seasons and had another such season at Arkansas. Petrino was 77-35 overall at Louisville and lead several of the most successful seasons in the history of the program.

In his time at Arkansas, Petrino led the Razorbacks to a 10-3 mark in 2010 and an 11-2 record in 2011. Arkansas hasn't replicated that level of success since Petrino left.

The bad side of Bobby Petrino

On the other hand, Petrino's success is sometimes plagued with program-imploding problems. He left Louisville in 2007 for the NFL to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where his 3-10 mark was unimpressive. Petrino then left the Falcons with three games left in the season.

He was fired from Arkansas after a controversy arising from a late-night motorcycle accident. As a result of the accident, questions arose as to Petrino's relationship with a female Arkansas staffer, and the entire situation relegated Petrino to the college football coaching scrap heap for a time.

Petrino's current run at Arkansas

Prior to Pittman, Arkansas posted losing records, and once Pittman was hired, the Hogs showed some improvement, going 9-4 in 2021. but since then, Arkansas slipped to 7-6 and then 4-8. Petrino returned to Arkansas because of poor offensive performance.

In 2021, Pittman's offense scored 30.9 points per game and averaged 442 yards per game. Those numbers had slipped in 2023 to 26.6 points and 327 yards per game. Quarterback KJ Jefferson entered the transfer portal, and Arkansas brought back only one of its top seven rushers.

Even though it's only Week 2 with Petrino, the Arkansas offense indeed is picking up some momentum in 2024.

What do you think about Petrino's salary? Share your thoughts on the controversial coach below in the comments!