University of North Carolina Athletics
Football
Bobby Petrino
- Title:
- Offensive Coordinator
Bobby Petrino, one of the nation’s top offensive minds, has been named the offensive coordinator for the North Carolina Football program, head coach Bill Belichick announced Friday, Jan. 9.
“We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,” said Belichick. “He brings an extensive background and a proven record of success on offense at every level of football. Bobby has consistently built great offenses everywhere he has been, and we look forward to having him work with our program.”
Petrino joins the Tar Heels after spending the past two seasons at Arkansas, where he served as the offensive coordinator and interim head coach for the final seven games of 2025. A veteran coach, Petrino has experience working both in college and the NFL, and has been a head coach at the collegiate level for 18 seasons, compiling a 137-78 career record.
“I’m extremely excited to join Coach Belichick and the Carolina Football program,” said Petrino. “This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the best at a storied institution. I cannot wait to get started in Chapel Hill alongside this coaching staff and student-athletes.”
Nationally renowned for his work with offenses, Petrino has orchestrated top offenses at every stop of his career. Most notably, he helped develop 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time ACC Player of the Year Lamar Jackson. Under Petrino’s direction, Jackson also won the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Awards, in addition to Associated Press, CBS Sports, The Sporting News and Walter Camp National Player of the Year honors following his breakout 2016 campaign.
The longtime coach has also produced elite, next-level talent during his career. In addition to Jackson, Petrino tutored two of the best quarterbacks in Arkansas school history in the late Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson. He also coached a trio of national award winners in Joe Adams (2011 Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award), DJ Williams (2010 Mackey Award and Disney Spirit Award) and Jonathan Luigs (2007 Rimington Trophy). Arkansas’ top three wide receivers – Cobi Hamilton, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams – on the all-time receptions list all played under Petrino with Wright still holding the receiving yards school record with 2,934 yards.
In 2025, Arkansas ranked 19th nationally in total offense with 454.8 yards per game. The Razorbacks averaged 32.9 points per game and scored 30 or more points in eight games during the season.
Arkansas was second in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and 18th in the nation in red zone offense, scoring on 91.7% of its chances. The Razorbacks also surpassed 500 yards of total offense in six games in 2025.
Petrino’s first season back at Arkansas in 2024, the Razorbacks put up some of the greatest single-season offensive numbers in program history. The team tallied 5,973 yards of total offense, the fourth best in a single season. Arkansas also ranked in the top five in program history for single season for rushing touchdowns (T-2nd, 34), total offense per game (4th, 459.5), passing first downs (4th, 150), passing yards (5th, 3,571) and passing yards per game (5th, 274.7).
Additionally, Arkansas ranked among the nation’s top 20 in multiple categories including total offense (10th, 459.5), passing offense (18th, 274.7), passing yards per completion (10th, 14.00) and first downs (17th, 314). The Razorbacks also registered two top 10 all-time single-game total offense performances with 687 yards of total offense against UAPB for the third-most yards in a single game in program history and 673 total yards of offense in a win at Mississippi State, which ranks seventh on the list.
Prior to his second stint at Arkansas, Petrino was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 2023. With the Aggies, Petrino’s offense averaged 34.2 points per game (25th in FBS, 5th in SEC) while averaging 403.8 yards per game. In his lone season with the Aggies, Petrino’s offense helped lead the program back to bowl eligibility marking the 18th time in his career to help a team to the postseason.
In his 14 seasons as a head coach at five different stops, including Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18), the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (2007), Arkansas (2008-11), Western Kentucky (2013) and FCS level Missouri State (2020-22).
As the head coach of the Razorbacks, he led the program to a 34-17 mark in four seasons with bowl berths in the 2010 Liberty Bowl, 2011 Sugar Bowl and 2012 Cotton Bowl. The Hogs went 10-3 in 2010 with the program’s only BCS Bowl appearance at the Sugar Bowl before finishing ranked 12th in the AP Poll. Arkansas’ 2011 team was even better, finishing 11-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State to end the year ranked 5th in the AP poll. The team’s 11 victories are the most by an Arkansas team and the team’s final ranking in the top five are the best since Lou Holtz’s 1977 squad finished 11-1 and ranked 3rd in the final AP Poll.
In his first stint at Louisville, Petrino was 41-9 during those four seasons. His 2004 team led the nation in total offense (539.0 ypg) and scoring offense (49.8 ppg), while posting 50+ points in seven games and setting a NCAA record by scoring 55+ points in five straight games en route to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the Gator bowl.
Petrino’s resume also has NFL coaching experience, having served as the Falcons head coach in 2007 and as an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2001), while also working with the Jaguars’ quarterbacks (1999-2001).
Petrino played for his father at Carroll College, twice earning NAIA All-America honors and helping lead the squad to three straight conference championships. He was named the league’s MVP in 1981 and 1982. He also played four years of basketball at Carroll while earning his degree in physical education with a minor in mathematics in 1983.
Petrino and his wife, Becky, have four children: Kelsey, Nick, Bobby and Katie, along with eight grandchildren.
The Petrino File
Hometown: Lewiston, Montana
College: Carroll College, 1983 BA, Physical Education
Family: Wife, Becky; Daughters – Kelsey and Katie; Sons – Nick and Bobby
Coaching Experience
1983 Carroll College (Graduate Assistant)
1984 Weber State (Graduate Assistant)
1985-86 Carroll College (Offensive Coordinator)
1987-88 Weber State (WRs/TEs)
1989 Idaho (QBs)
1990-91 Idaho (Offensive Coordinator)
1992-93 Arizona State (QBs)
1994 Nevada (Offensive Coordinator/QBs)
1995-97 Utah State (Offensive Coordinator)
1998 Louisville (Offensive Coordinator)
1999-00 Jacksonville Jaguars (QBs)
2001 Jacksonville Jaguars (Offensive Coordinator)
2002 Auburn (Offensive Coordinator)
2003-06 Louisville (Head Coach)
2007 Atlanta Falcons (Head Coach)
2008-11 Arkansas (Head Coach)
2013 Western Kentucky (Head Coach)
2014-18 Louisville (Head Coach)
2020-22 Missouri State (Head Coach)
2023 Texas A&M (Offensive Coordinator)
2024 Arkansas (Offensive Coordinator)
2025 Arkansas (Offensive Coordinator & Interim Head Coach)
2026 North Carolina (Offensive Coordinator)
“We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,” said Belichick. “He brings an extensive background and a proven record of success on offense at every level of football. Bobby has consistently built great offenses everywhere he has been, and we look forward to having him work with our program.”
Petrino joins the Tar Heels after spending the past two seasons at Arkansas, where he served as the offensive coordinator and interim head coach for the final seven games of 2025. A veteran coach, Petrino has experience working both in college and the NFL, and has been a head coach at the collegiate level for 18 seasons, compiling a 137-78 career record.
“I’m extremely excited to join Coach Belichick and the Carolina Football program,” said Petrino. “This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the best at a storied institution. I cannot wait to get started in Chapel Hill alongside this coaching staff and student-athletes.”
Nationally renowned for his work with offenses, Petrino has orchestrated top offenses at every stop of his career. Most notably, he helped develop 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time ACC Player of the Year Lamar Jackson. Under Petrino’s direction, Jackson also won the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Awards, in addition to Associated Press, CBS Sports, The Sporting News and Walter Camp National Player of the Year honors following his breakout 2016 campaign.
The longtime coach has also produced elite, next-level talent during his career. In addition to Jackson, Petrino tutored two of the best quarterbacks in Arkansas school history in the late Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson. He also coached a trio of national award winners in Joe Adams (2011 Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers Award), DJ Williams (2010 Mackey Award and Disney Spirit Award) and Jonathan Luigs (2007 Rimington Trophy). Arkansas’ top three wide receivers – Cobi Hamilton, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams – on the all-time receptions list all played under Petrino with Wright still holding the receiving yards school record with 2,934 yards.
In 2025, Arkansas ranked 19th nationally in total offense with 454.8 yards per game. The Razorbacks averaged 32.9 points per game and scored 30 or more points in eight games during the season.
Arkansas was second in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and 18th in the nation in red zone offense, scoring on 91.7% of its chances. The Razorbacks also surpassed 500 yards of total offense in six games in 2025.
Petrino’s first season back at Arkansas in 2024, the Razorbacks put up some of the greatest single-season offensive numbers in program history. The team tallied 5,973 yards of total offense, the fourth best in a single season. Arkansas also ranked in the top five in program history for single season for rushing touchdowns (T-2nd, 34), total offense per game (4th, 459.5), passing first downs (4th, 150), passing yards (5th, 3,571) and passing yards per game (5th, 274.7).
Additionally, Arkansas ranked among the nation’s top 20 in multiple categories including total offense (10th, 459.5), passing offense (18th, 274.7), passing yards per completion (10th, 14.00) and first downs (17th, 314). The Razorbacks also registered two top 10 all-time single-game total offense performances with 687 yards of total offense against UAPB for the third-most yards in a single game in program history and 673 total yards of offense in a win at Mississippi State, which ranks seventh on the list.
Prior to his second stint at Arkansas, Petrino was the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 2023. With the Aggies, Petrino’s offense averaged 34.2 points per game (25th in FBS, 5th in SEC) while averaging 403.8 yards per game. In his lone season with the Aggies, Petrino’s offense helped lead the program back to bowl eligibility marking the 18th time in his career to help a team to the postseason.
In his 14 seasons as a head coach at five different stops, including Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18), the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons (2007), Arkansas (2008-11), Western Kentucky (2013) and FCS level Missouri State (2020-22).
As the head coach of the Razorbacks, he led the program to a 34-17 mark in four seasons with bowl berths in the 2010 Liberty Bowl, 2011 Sugar Bowl and 2012 Cotton Bowl. The Hogs went 10-3 in 2010 with the program’s only BCS Bowl appearance at the Sugar Bowl before finishing ranked 12th in the AP Poll. Arkansas’ 2011 team was even better, finishing 11-2 with a Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State to end the year ranked 5th in the AP poll. The team’s 11 victories are the most by an Arkansas team and the team’s final ranking in the top five are the best since Lou Holtz’s 1977 squad finished 11-1 and ranked 3rd in the final AP Poll.
In his first stint at Louisville, Petrino was 41-9 during those four seasons. His 2004 team led the nation in total offense (539.0 ypg) and scoring offense (49.8 ppg), while posting 50+ points in seven games and setting a NCAA record by scoring 55+ points in five straight games en route to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the Gator bowl.
Petrino’s resume also has NFL coaching experience, having served as the Falcons head coach in 2007 and as an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2001), while also working with the Jaguars’ quarterbacks (1999-2001).
Petrino played for his father at Carroll College, twice earning NAIA All-America honors and helping lead the squad to three straight conference championships. He was named the league’s MVP in 1981 and 1982. He also played four years of basketball at Carroll while earning his degree in physical education with a minor in mathematics in 1983.
Petrino and his wife, Becky, have four children: Kelsey, Nick, Bobby and Katie, along with eight grandchildren.
The Petrino File
Hometown: Lewiston, Montana
College: Carroll College, 1983 BA, Physical Education
Family: Wife, Becky; Daughters – Kelsey and Katie; Sons – Nick and Bobby
Coaching Experience
1983 Carroll College (Graduate Assistant)
1984 Weber State (Graduate Assistant)
1985-86 Carroll College (Offensive Coordinator)
1987-88 Weber State (WRs/TEs)
1989 Idaho (QBs)
1990-91 Idaho (Offensive Coordinator)
1992-93 Arizona State (QBs)
1994 Nevada (Offensive Coordinator/QBs)
1995-97 Utah State (Offensive Coordinator)
1998 Louisville (Offensive Coordinator)
1999-00 Jacksonville Jaguars (QBs)
2001 Jacksonville Jaguars (Offensive Coordinator)
2002 Auburn (Offensive Coordinator)
2003-06 Louisville (Head Coach)
2007 Atlanta Falcons (Head Coach)
2008-11 Arkansas (Head Coach)
2013 Western Kentucky (Head Coach)
2014-18 Louisville (Head Coach)
2020-22 Missouri State (Head Coach)
2023 Texas A&M (Offensive Coordinator)
2024 Arkansas (Offensive Coordinator)
2025 Arkansas (Offensive Coordinator & Interim Head Coach)
2026 North Carolina (Offensive Coordinator)
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