The support for firing Bobby Petrino continues to roll in and now it's taken monetary form.
On Wednesday, the Donald W. Reynolds foundation announced it was donating $1 million to help the school build its Student-Athlete Success Center. The gift was made in reaction to athletic director Jeff Long's decision to fire Petrino after he failed to disclose and inappropriate relationship with a subordinate employee whom he hired.
The foundation's chairman, Fred W. Smith, made a personal donation of $250,000 to the center and wanted to name the student-athlete development program the Jeff Long Student-Athlete Development Program.
Long was lauded for his handling of the Petrino situation and the leadership he demonstrated during last week's emotional press conference. Many believed Long's decision would not be popular, but Long has actually received a lot of support and this donation is just further proof of that.
[Photos: Former Arkansas caoch Bobby Petrino, female friend]
"The courageous leadership demonstrated by Jeff Long in the course of recent events has further affirmed our confidence in his leadership and his vision for intercollegiate athletics at the University of Arkansas," Smith said in a statement. "Mr. Long acted with integrity and with the best interests of Razorback student-athletes and the University of Arkansas in mind."
See, something good can come out of a bad situation. Now if Arkansas could have the same luck in hiring a new football coach, the university could pretend the entire Petrino mess didn't happen.
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