Posted by: Pete Roussel on June 29, 2012

Someone, somewhere in the state of Arkansas believes Bobby Petrino is going to return as the Razorbacks head coach after sitting out this upcoming season.

The rumor has spread so much that reporter Matt Turner asked Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long point blank about the news.

Long said, "Yeah, there's no...there's no validity to that. That's not going to happen."

In fact, Long has not talked with Petrino at all since his dismissal.

"I have not. I have not," said Long.

Will the two speak at some point?

Long explained, "Yeah, I think the ball's in his court from my point of view and I'm sure he's dealing with lots of emotional things, and again, the most important thing is for him to focus on his family and get his life situated -- and I get all that."

"You know, I think sometime down the road, I'm sure we will run into each other in this profession and I'm sure that I'll have words with him. And you know, I don't wish him any ill will. I wish him the best as he continues on."

Although it would surprise me to see Petrino land another head coaching job in major college football, don't count out Petrino surfacing in the NFL as a quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator at some point down the road.

Here's a look at the Arkansas coaching staff heading into the 2012 season.

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