Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

More than 15,000 people were listed as members of the “Team Save Coach Petrino” Facebook page by 7 p.m. on Monday. The page was set up as a means of promoting a rally supporting Coach Bobby Petrino, who is currently on administrative leave.

While the page had plenty of numbers — it should be noted the group was adding members without permission throughout Monday — the rally itself drew an estimated 200 or so to The Gardens, a popular in-season tailgating spot on the Arkansas campus.

Organizer Matt Couch said he felt the group’s mission was achieved even with the modest turnout. Couch said that while the supporters don’t endorse Petrino’s actions in admitting to an “inappropriate relationship” and hiding facts from a recent motorcycle accident, they do want to see the coach retained.

“We’re not condoning it. I wouldn’t ask him for marriage counseling,” Couch said “But at the same time we’re supportive of him and want him to do well.”

Petrino guided the Razorbacks to a 21-5 record the last two seasons. Arkansas finished 2011 as a Top 5 team and is regarded as a preseason Top 10 squad for 2012.

Some fans came armed with signs that included slogans like “Blonde Hair, Don’t Care Free Bobby” and “What’s Wrong With Scoring In The Offseason?”

Sylvia Schlegel came with a  sign that became the centerpiece of the rally. Schlegel’s sign read “Accept Apology and FORGIVE. Jesus Saved Bobby … Jeff ….. You Can Too.”

Schelegel, who said she became an Arkansas fan after getting married 22 years ago, acknowledged she was disappointed Petrino had drawn negative attention to the school.

How supportive would Couch have been if the Razorbacks weren't coming off the first 11-victory season since 1977?

"If they won seven games would we be saying the same thing? Probably not. ...," Couch said. "There's probably a chance we wouldn't even be having this rally because that decision would have already been made."