The North Carolina Tar Heels have made a significant move by hiring Bobby Petrino as their new offensive coordinator, according to reports from On3’s Chris Low, Pete Nakos, and Inside Carolina. This decision follows the departure of Freddie Kitchens, who served only one season in the role before parting ways with the program in December 2025.
In the previous season, North Carolina faced challenges with one of the least effective offenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The team ranked 119th nationally in scoring offense, averaging a mere 19.3 points per game, and finished 129th in total yards with an average of 288.8 yards per contest. Petrino is now tasked with revitalizing this struggling unit.
Petrino, who previously held head coaching positions at Louisville and Arkansas, brings a wealth of experience to the role, including a season as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League. Although he and head coach Bill Belichick do not share a prior working relationship, Petrino has established connections with several members of the existing North Carolina coaching staff.
This hiring signals a proactive approach by Belichick, who aims to address the issues faced during his initial season at the helm of the Tar Heels. Many believe that Petrino’s history of transforming underperforming offenses could lead to a turnaround for North Carolina’s football program.
As the Tar Heels prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Petrino to see how he implements his strategies to enhance the team’s offensive performance. With a fresh perspective and a proven track record, the future appears promising for North Carolina football under this new leadership.
