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North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly working toward hiring former Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino as his next offensive coordinator, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to On3.com's Chris Low, Pete Nakos and Inside Carolina on Monday (December 22).
Petrino, 64, who had previously coached the Razorbacks from 2008 to 2011, returned to the program as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2024 and served as interim head coach -- going winless in Arkansas' final seven games -- following Sam Pittman's firing in 2025.
"Big news out of Chapel Hill. Belichick and Petrino joining forces. Tar Heels were in need of an offensive boost, and Petrino’s offenses have scored points in bunches everywhere he’s been. Arkansas averaged 32.9 points per game this season," Low wrote on his X account.
Petrino was previously fired by Arkansas amid accusations that he unfairly hired his mistress and intentionally mislead his boss about their relationship following a motorcycle accident the two were involved in in 2012. The veteran coach has an overall collegiate head coaching record of 137-78, which includes multiple stints at Louisville (2003-06; 2014-2018), as well as Western Kentucky (2014-18) and Missouri State (2020-22).
Belichick, 73, who has six Super Bowl wins as a head coach, the most in NFL history, as well as two as an assistant coach, went 4-8 (2-6 ACC) during his first season at North Carolina.