Betting on Brilliance: What Bobby Petrino brings to UNC
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North Carolina hired one of the most notable, yet controversial, figures in college football over the past 25 years as its new offensive coordinator: Bobby Petrino.
While Petrino’s controversial past is well documented, it’s also worth noting that he produces results wherever he goes. The Tar Heels need them as they finished with one of the worst units in the FBS in 2025. They ranked 119th nationally in scoring (19.3 points per game) and 129th in total offense (288.8 yards per game). As a result, former offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens was let go.
Here are some things you need to know about Petrino as the next playcaller at UNC.
His Offenses Have Been Highly Prolific
In 19 years as either a head coach or offensive coordinator, Petrino’s offenses have been prolific at every stop. He has had a top-25 offense 11 times, a top-10 offense nine times and a top-five offense six times, including the nation’s top-ranked offense twice.
Both of those No. 1 offenses came at Louisville — first in 1998, when he was the offensive playcaller (559.6 yards per game), and again in 2004 (539 yards per game) in his second season as the Cardinals’ head coach. His offenses have also topped 500 yards per game four times, all of which came during his time at Louisville.
He’s Improved the Offenses at his Previous Two Stops
While some suggest his days as an “offensive guru” are over and the game has passed him by, the numbers don’t support it.
At his most recent stop at Arkansas, the Razorbacks turned into one of the country’s best offenses under his direction. They averaged just 326.5 yards per game in 2023, which ranked 105th nationally. Moreover, Arkansas ranked 10th in the SEC in scoring offense, 13th in total offense, 10th in rushing offense, 12th in passing offense, 13th in plays of more than 10 yards, and 13th in red zone attempts.
When Petrino took over playcalling duties the following season, Arkansas became a top-10 offense, averaging 459.5 yards per game. Although the Razorbacks finished 2-10, the offense was not the problem, as they averaged 455 yards per game, 18th in the country.
Before Arkansas, he spent the 2023 season at Texas A&M. The Aggies averaged only 360.9 yards per game, 92nd in the country, the year before his arrival. They improved to 406.9 yards per game with Petrino, and there is important context.
The Aggies’ passing attack jumped from 219.4 yards to 270.8 yards per game from 2022 to 2023. On top of that, multiple injuries hit the quarterback room, and it was unclear how much freedom Petrino had with the offense, given Jimbo Fisher’s role and hands-on approach as head coach.
He’s Sent Five QBs to the Pros
Petrino personally oversaw the development of five quarterbacks who went on to be drafted:
- Stefan LeFors, Louisville (2005, 4th round)
- Brian Brohm, Louisville (2008, 2nd Round)
- Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (2011, 3rd Round)
- Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (2013, 4th Round)
- Lamar Jackson, Louisville (2018, 1st Round
The most notable quarterback in that group is Lamar Jackson. Jackson started for Petrino at Louisville from 2015 to 2017, throwing for 9,043 yards and rushing for 4,132 more. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 and was a two-time All-ACC player of the year before becoming a first-round pick in 2018 and winning the NFL MVP award twice.
With Taylen Green, Arkansas’ starter for Petrino the past two seasons, he could have a sixth quarterback drafted into the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What to know about Bobby Petrino as UNC’s expected playcaller
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