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North Carolina finalizing deal to hire Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator
Bobby Petrino has agreed to become the next North Carolina offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick, sources tell On3’s Chris Low, Pete Nakos and Inside Carolina. The move comes after the Tar Heels fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens earlier this month after one season.
The Tar Heels finished with one of the worst offenses in FBS in 2025. North Carolina ranked 119th in the FBS in scoring (19.3 points per game) and 129th in total offense (288.8 yards per game). Petrino is being charged with turning that around.
Belichick and Petrino do not have direct ties, but Petrino has ties to the current North Carolina coaching staff. Petrino has consistently turned around offenses in his career. The former head coach of Louisville and Arkansas also has NFL head coaching experience, having spent one season as the Atlanta Falcons head coach.
New England native among candidates Bill Belichick considering as UNC’s next OC (report)
UNC needs a new offensive coordinator after a disastrous 2025 season — its first under coach Bill Belichick.
Now the Tar Heels are focused on former NFL coaches Chip Kelly and Bobby Petrino as potential replacements for Freddie Kitchens, On3.com reported.
Belichck fired Kitchens, as well as special teams coordinator Mike Priefer earlier this month.
Kelly, a New England native, was recently fired by Tom Brady’s Raiders just 11 games into his tenure. The 62-year-old was brought in to help fix Las Vegas’ offense, but after a 2-9 start, the Raiders had seen enough.
As Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2024, Kelly helped the Buckeyes to a national championship, but he couldn’t bring that same kind of success to Las Vegas.
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Report: Bill Belichick’s OC search focuses on Chip Kelly, Bobby Petrino
North Carolina coach and likely first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Belichick recently fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens, a former NFL head coach. Belichick reportedly is focusing on two other former NFL head coaches to replace Kitchens.
Via Pete Nakos of On3.com, the search is focusing on Chip Kelly and Bobby Petrino.
Kelly, who was fired last month as offensive coordinator of the Raiders, previously coached the Eagles and 49ers. Petrino coached the Falcons in 2007, abruptly leaving during his first season to become the head coach at Arkansas.
There’s still a question swirling as to whether Belichick will abruptly leave Chapel Hill to coach in the NFL. With a buyout of only $1 million, it would be easy for him to exit. The harder part will be finding an NFL owner who would hire him.
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