Bill Belichick Hires New Offensive Coordinator For UNC Staff

Bill Belichick picked an experienced coach in hopes of enjoying a smoother second season at North Carolina.

UNC named Bobby Petrino its new offensive coordinator on Friday. Belichick celebrated the move in the school’s announcement.

“We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,” Belichick said. “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.”

A coach since 1983, Petrino has made numerous stops throughout his career. He went 41-9 as Louisville’s head coach from 2003 to 2006 before landing his first NFL head coaching gig.

The Atlanta Falcons went 3-10 under Petrino before he resigned during his first season to coach Arkansas. He spent four seasons with the SEC program and the 2013 campaign at Western Kentucky before returning to Louisville for five years.

Petrino worked as a head coach at Missouri State before taking offensive coordinator jobs at UNLV, Texas A&M and Arkansas. The Razorbacks scored 30.9 points per game in 2024 but went 0-7 with Petrino as interim head coach in 2025.

The 73-year-old Belichick hired the 64-year-old Petrino to run a Tar Heels offense that averaged an anemic 183.5 passing yards and 19.2 points per game in 2025. UNC went 4-8 with two ACC wins in Belichick’s first season as a college football head coach, prompting him to fire offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.

“I’m extremely excited to join Coach Belichick and the Carolina football program,” Petrino said. “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.”