Petrino accepts responsibility, won’t appeal firing

By John TaylorApr 13, 2012, 9:33 AM EDT

Three days after Bobby Petrino was summarily dismissed by Arkansas, it appears the now-former Razorbacks head coach won’t attempt to drag the university through any additional public mud.

Both the Arkansas Democrat Gazette ($) and ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad are reporting that Petrino has decided he will not challenge or appeal his termination with cause. Under the terms of Petrino’s contract, the coach was permitted to ask for a review of the termination.

For once in this whole sordid soap opera, however, Petrino decided to do the admirable thing and simply walk away from that option.

Because he was fired with cause — conflict of interest, concealing an inappropriate relationship with a female UA staff member — Petrino’s contract calls for the $18 million buyout built in to the deal to be negated. If Petrino had been fired without cause, he would have been eligible for the entire eight-figure sum.

As far as a replacement for Petrino goes, and despite the names of multiple potential candidates being tossed around, athletic director Jeff Long tweeted Thursday night that no decision has been made on either a specific person or even which particular tack — interim head coach or permanent one — the athletic program will take.

“At this time I have not spoken to anyone about the Head Coaching position,” Long wrote. “No decision on Interim Coach, Know current assts well, no need for folks to lobby, have watched for myself. All scenarios still on table.”

Utah State player upgraded to fair condition after collapse

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 1:50 AM EDT

Stephen Lew/Getty Images

Utah State redshirt freshman wide receiver Josh Davis is in fair condition on Friday, one day after collapsing at spring football practice following sudden cardiac arrest, the university announced.

Davis, initially was listed in critical condition, was breathing on his own. He is in the intensive-care unit at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.

Davis’ parents arrived in Utah on Thursday evening.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Davis, who is from Carlsbad, California, collapsed at Merlin Olsen Field and was immediately treated by the training staff, the university said. He was taken to Logan Regional Hospital.

The university said Davis was stabilized in the Logan hospital before being moved to Ogden.

Alabama suspends freshman defensive back after drug arrest

Associated PressMar 20, 2023, 10:32 PM EDT

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell has been suspended from the team following his arrest on a drug charge.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Monday after the first practice of spring that Mitchell was suspended from the team “and all team activities until we gather more information about the situation and what his legal circumstance is.”

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mitchell and another man, Christophere Lewis, last week on a charge of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell or deliver, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. Lewis also was charged with carrying a concealed gun without a permit.

“Everybody’s got an opportunity to make choices and decisions,” Saban said. “There’s no such thing as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You’ve gotta be responsible for who you’re with, who you’re around and what you do, who you associate yourself with and the situations that you put yourself in. It is what it is, but there is cause and effect when you make choices and decisions that put you in bad situations.”

Mitchell, who is from Alabaster, Alabama, was a five-star prospect rated the 34th-best player and No. 3 safety in the 247Composite rankings.

Mitchell was driving the vehicle during a traffic stop. After deputies smelled marijuana, Mitchell picked up a baggie of marijuana from the passenger floorboard, according to the department’s Facebook post.

Sheriff’s deputies found “an additional significant amount of marijuana, a set of scales, a loaded handgun between the passenger seat and center console, and a large amount of cash,” according to the department’s Facebook post.