Key Takeaways
- Bobby Petrino has been married to Becky Petrino since 1983
- The couple has been together for over 40 years despite public scandals
- They have four children together who have grown into successful adults
- Becky stood by Bobby during his infamous 2012 motorcycle accident scandal
- The Petrino family maintains a relatively private life away from media attention
Who is Bobby Petrino?
Bobby Petrino is one of football's most talked about coaches. His career has seen incredible highs and devastating lows. But when people search is Bobby Petrino married, they're looking beyond the headlines to understand the man behind the controversies.
Born on March 10, 1961, in Lewistown, Montana, Petrino grew up with football in his blood. He became known for his offensive genius and ability to turn struggling programs into winners. However, his personal decisions have sometimes overshadowed his professional achievements. Throughout all the ups and downs, one constant has remained in his life—his wife Becky.
The question is Bobby Petrino married comes up frequently because his personal life became national news in 2012. That scandal tested his marriage in ways most couples never experience. Yet the Petrinos have stayed together, showing a commitment that surprises many people who followed the story.
The Love Story: How Bobby Met Becky
Bobby and Becky Petrino's story began long before he became a household name in college football. They met during their younger years and connected over shared values and interests. According to Our blog, understanding the foundations of long-term relationships helps us see how couples weather difficult storms.
The couple got married in 1983 when Bobby was just starting his coaching career. Back then, nobody could have predicted the roller coaster ride their marriage would take. Becky wasn't marrying a famous coach with millions of dollars. She was committing to a young man with big dreams and a passion for football.
Their early years together involved the typical struggles of coaching families. Long hours, frequent moves, and financial uncertainty tested them. But these challenges seemed to strengthen their bond rather than weaken it. They built their relationship on a foundation that would later prove crucial when facing public scrutiny.
So is Bobby Petrino married to his original wife? Yes, he is. Despite everything that happened, Bobby and Becky never divorced. Their commitment to each other has lasted through four decades of marriage, which is remarkable in any context, let alone under the spotlight of professional sports.
The Petrino Family: Children and Values
Bobby and Becky raised four children together: Kelsey, Bobby Jr., Nick, and Katie. The family dynamic played a huge role in shaping who Bobby became as a person and coach. Understanding is Bobby Petrino married with kids helps explain why certain decisions carried such weight.
All four children grew up around football. Bobby Jr. followed his father's footsteps into coaching and has built his own career in the profession. Nick also pursued coaching opportunities. The daughters, Kelsey and Katie, have maintained more private lives but remain close to their parents.
Family gatherings and holiday celebrations have always been important to the Petrinos. Despite Bobby's demanding schedule, he tried to prioritize family time when possible. This commitment to family values makes the 2012 scandal even more shocking to those who knew them personally.
The children had to deal with intense media attention when their father's mistakes became public. Imagine going to school or work while everyone is talking about your dad's affair. That kind of pressure affects the whole family, not just the couple involved. Yet the Petrino children have largely stayed out of the spotlight and supported both their parents.
The 2012 Scandal That Shook Their Marriage
When people ask is Bobby Petrino married, they're often thinking about the motorcycle accident that exposed his affair. In April 2012, Bobby was the head coach at the University of Arkansas. He crashed his motorcycle on a rural highway, and the subsequent investigation revealed he had been carrying a 25-year-old female employee named Jessica Dorrell as a passenger.
The scandal unfolded rapidly. Bobby had hired Jessica for a position within the football program and had given her $20,000 as a gift. He initially lied about her presence at the accident scene. When the truth came out, it dominated sports news for weeks. Arkansas fired him just days after the crash, ending what had been one of the most successful coaching stints in the program's history.
For Becky Petrino, this was more than just a professional crisis. Her husband's infidelity was exposed to the entire nation. Every detail was analyzed and discussed on television, radio, and social media. Friends, neighbors, and strangers all knew what had happened. The humiliation must have been overwhelming.
Many people assumed the marriage was over. When you search is Bobby Petrino married today, you might expect to find divorce records from 2012 or 2013. Instead, you find that Becky chose to stay with Bobby and work through the betrayal. This decision surprised many observers who couldn't imagine forgiving such a public transgression.
Why Becky Stayed: Understanding Her Decision
The question isn't just is Bobby Petrino married, but why did Becky choose to remain married after such a public betrayal? Only Becky knows her true reasons, but we can consider several factors that might have influenced her decision.
First, they had been together for nearly 30 years at that point. Three decades of shared history, memories, and experiences create powerful bonds. They had raised four children together and built a life that extended far beyond one terrible mistake. Walking away from all of that isn't easy, even when deeply hurt.
Second, faith and values may have played a role. Many couples with strong religious beliefs work to preserve their marriages even after infidelity. Forgiveness is a central tenant in many faith traditions, and the Petrinos may have drawn on these principles during their darkest hours.
Third, Becky might have believed Bobby was genuinely remorseful. Public statements suggested he took full responsibility for his actions and was willing to do whatever it took to rebuild trust. For some people, sincere repentance opens the door to reconciliation and healing.
Financial considerations could also factor in, though this seems less likely given Bobby's earning potential. Even unemployed after Arkansas, he had coaching skills that would eventually lead to new opportunities. Still, divorce can be financially devastating, and staying together might have made practical sense.
Finally, Becky may have simply loved her husband and wanted to fight for their marriage. Love doesn't disappear overnight, even when trust is broken. She may have looked at their entire relationship and decided the good outweighed the bad.
Bobby's Career After the Scandal
Understanding is Bobby Petrino married also means looking at how his career recovered after 2012. Many thought he would never coach at the major college level again. The stigma of both the affair and the lies seemed too great to overcome.
However, Bobby's offensive genius made him attractive to programs willing to overlook his past. In 2014, Louisville gave him a second chance by hiring him as their head coach. This was actually a return for Bobby, who had previously coached the Cardinals successfully before leaving for the Atlanta Falcons.
His second stint at Louisville produced mixed results. The team had some good seasons, but they never quite reached the heights of his first tenure there. In 2018, Louisville fired him after a disappointing start to the season. His overall record was solid, but the program wanted to move in a different direction.
After Louisville, Bobby took a position at Missouri State, a smaller program in the Football Championship Subdivision. This was seen as a step down from the major college ranks, but it gave him a chance to keep coaching. He remained at Missouri State until 2023, when health concerns led to his resignation.
Throughout this career odyssey, Becky remained by his side. She attended games, supported his work, and maintained her role as his wife. The answer to is Bobby Petrino married stayed consistently yes, even as his professional circumstances changed dramatically.
Life in the Public Eye
Being married to a high-profile coach means living with constant scrutiny. Even before the scandal, Becky had to deal with the pressures of being a coach's wife. After 2012, that scrutiny intensified tenfold. Every public appearance became a statement about their marriage.
Sports fans can be brutal. Message boards and social media platforms allowed anonymous people to share harsh opinions about both Bobby and Becky. Some criticized her for staying, while others admired her strength. Neither reaction could have been easy to handle.
The Petrinos have generally kept a low profile regarding their personal life. They don't give interviews about their marriage or discuss the scandal publicly. This privacy shield has probably helped them heal away from the spotlight. When you're famous, protecting your personal space becomes essential for mental health.
Their children also had to navigate life in the public eye. Having your father's mistakes broadcast nationally affects kids no matter how old they are. The family likely had difficult conversations and relied on each other for support during the worst periods.
Despite everything, the Petrinos have maintained relationships within football communities. Bobby's coaching tree includes numerous assistants who have remained loyal to him. These professional relationships suggest that people who know him personally see something beyond the headlines.
Comparing Other Coaching Scandals
Bobby Petrino isn't the only coach whose personal life became public news. When examining is Bobby Petrino married, it's useful to compare his situation to other high-profile cases in college football and professional sports.
Urban Meyer faced scrutiny for how he handled domestic abuse allegations involving an assistant coach. The scandal didn't involve Meyer's own marriage, but it raised questions about his judgment and values. Rick Pitino, the basketball coach, dealt with his own extramarital affair scandal that became national news.
What sets Bobby's case apart is the combination of factors: the affair, the hiring of the woman involved, the financial gift, and the initial lies about the motorcycle accident. This perfect storm of bad decisions made his scandal particularly memorable and damaging.
Some coaches never recover from scandals, while others rebuild their careers and reputations. Bobby falls somewhere in the middle. He got coaching opportunities again, but never quite returned to the elite level he once occupied. His marriage, however, has shown more resilience than his career.
The public's willingness to forgive varies greatly. Some fans believe everyone deserves a second chance, while others think certain mistakes should permanently disqualify someone from leadership positions. These debates continue whenever Bobby's name comes up in coaching searches or discussions.
The Current Status of Their Marriage
So, is Bobby Petrino married as of 2024? Yes, Bobby and Becky remain married today. They've been together for over 40 years, surviving one of the most public marriage crises in sports history. That longevity speaks to something significant, even if outsiders can't fully understand it.
Bobby's health has become a concern in recent years. He stepped down from Missouri State in 2023, citing health reasons. Reports suggested heart issues were affecting his ability to coach. At times like these, having a supportive partner becomes even more important.
The couple appears to live quietly now that Bobby is no longer coaching. Without the constant demands of running a football program, they have more time for family and personal interests. This new chapter might be exactly what they need after decades of stress and public pressure.
Their grandchildren now play a bigger role in their lives. Like many couples in their sixties, Bobby and Becky seem focused on family rather than career achievements or past mistakes. The question is Bobby Petrino married has a straightforward answer, but the full story of their marriage is complex and deeply personal.
Lessons About Marriage and Forgiveness
The Petrino marriage offers lessons about commitment, forgiveness, and resilience. Whether you admire Becky's decision to stay or question it, there's no denying the strength required to rebuild after such a public betrayal.
Marriage counselors often say that relationships can survive infidelity if both partners are committed to healing. The unfaithful spouse must show genuine remorse and work to rebuild trust. The hurt spouse must be willing to forgive, though forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or excusing the behavior.
From the outside, we can't know all the details of how Bobby and Becky worked through their problems. They may have sought counseling, leaned on faith leaders, or simply had difficult conversations over many months and years. Whatever their process, they came out on the other side still married.
Not everyone should stay in a marriage after infidelity. Each situation is unique, and sometimes divorce is the healthiest option. But the Petrinos chose differently, and their choice was valid for them. Judging other people's marriage decisions is rarely productive or fair.
Their story also reminds us that public figures are still human beings with private struggles. When we consume celebrity gossip and sports scandals, real people are experiencing real pain. The Petrino children didn't choose to have their family drama broadcast nationally, yet they had to live through it anyway.
Bobby Petrino's Legacy
When people research is Bobby Petrino married, they're often trying to understand his complete legacy. Can we separate the coach from the person? Should we?
As a coach, Bobby's accomplishments are impressive. He won games at multiple programs and developed numerous players who went on to NFL careers. His offensive schemes influenced a generation of coaches. If judged purely on football knowledge and results, he would be considered one of the better coaches of his era.
However, his personal failings and professional mistakes tarnished that legacy. The Arkansas scandal wasn't his only controversial departure from a job. He left the Atlanta Falcons mid-season in 2007, which many considered unprofessional. These pattern of behavior suggests character issues beyond just one affair.
The marriage question fits into this broader legacy discussion. The fact that is Bobby Petrino married to the same woman after everything shows some level of personal growth and commitment. It doesn't erase his mistakes, but it adds nuance to the story.
History will judge Bobby Petrino in many ways. Some will remember the exciting offenses and winning seasons. Others will focus on the scandals and controversies. His marriage to Becky, lasting through thick and thin, will be part of that complex legacy.
Table: Bobby Petrino's Coaching Career Timeline
| Year | Position | School/Team | Notable Events |
| 2003-2006 | Head Coach | Louisville | Built successful program |
| 2007 | Head Coach | Atlanta Falcons | Left mid-season |
| 2008-2011 | Head Coach | Arkansas | Successful seasons |
| 2012 | Head Coach | Arkansas | Fired after motorcycle scandal |
| 2014-2018 | Head Coach | Louisville | Return to previous school |
| 2020-2023 | Head Coach | Missouri State | Stepped down for health |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bobby Petrino married currently? Yes, Bobby Petrino is currently married to Becky Petrino. They have been married since 1983 and remain together despite the public scandal in 2012.
Did Bobby Petrino divorce his wife after the scandal? No, Bobby and Becky Petrino did not divorce after the 2012 affair and motorcycle accident scandal. Becky chose to stay with Bobby, and they worked through the crisis together.
How long have Bobby and Becky Petrino been married? Bobby and Becky Petrino have been married for over 40 years, having wed in 1983. Their long marriage has survived both private challenges and very public controversies.
How many children do Bobby and Becky Petrino have? Bobby and Becky Petrino have four children together: Kelsey, Bobby Jr., Nick, and Katie. Some of their children have pursued careers in coaching like their father.
What happened with Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident? In April 2012, Bobby Petrino crashed his motorcycle with a female employee, Jessica Dorrell, as a passenger. The subsequent investigation revealed their affair and led to his firing from the University of Arkansas.
Where is Bobby Petrino coaching now? Bobby Petrino is not currently coaching. He stepped down from Missouri State in 2023 citing health reasons. He is now retired from coaching and focusing on his health and family.
Conclusion
The answer to is Bobby Petrino married is a definitive yes, but that simple answer doesn't capture the full story. Bobby and Becky Petrino's marriage has endured for over four decades, surviving challenges that would have ended many relationships. Their journey together includes the highs of coaching success and the devastating lows of public scandal and betrayal.
Becky's decision to stay with Bobby after the 2012 affair surprised many people, but it was her choice to make. Whatever their reasons for staying together—whether love, faith, family, or something else entirely—they've shown remarkable commitment to their marriage vows. Their relationship reminds us that people and marriages are complicated, and outsiders rarely know the full story.
Bobby's coaching career may be over, but his legacy remains complex. He'll be remembered for both his football genius and his personal failures. Through it all, his marriage to Becky has been a constant, providing stability even when everything else was falling apart. That endurance matters, even if it doesn't erase past mistakes.
For anyone searching is Bobby Petrino married, the answer opens up a larger conversation about forgiveness, commitment, and how public figures navigate private pain. The Petrinos chose to work through their problems rather than walk away, and over a decade later, they're still together. That's their story, and only they truly understand what it means.
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