The inaugural season for North Carolina’s head coach Bill Belichick did not go as hoped, as the team ended with a disappointing 4-8 record, placing them in the lower tier of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In light of this underperformance, the program will see a significant shake-up in the coaching staff.
Freddie Kitchens, the previously employed offensive coordinator, has been let go, leading to questions about who will revitalize the struggling offense at UNC. Reports indicate that Bobby Petrino, the former head coach of Arkansas, is set to become the new offensive coordinator in Chapel Hill.
Petrino, who has been involved in coaching since 1983, has never previously worked alongside Belichick, despite both having brief tenures in the NFL with teams like Atlanta and Jacksonville. Most recently, he returned to Arkansas in 2024 for a second stint as offensive coordinator after taking over the reins from Sam Pittman. Unfortunately, Petrino’s return to Arkansas was marred by a poor season, resulting in a 2-10 finish, which placed the Razorbacks at the bottom of the Southeastern Conference.
As the new offensive coordinator at UNC, Petrino will be charged with the critical task of revamping an offense that has struggled significantly; last season, the Tar Heels ranked at the bottom across all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams, averaging a mere 288 total yards and 19 points per game. With Petrino’s expertise in offensive strategies, there is hope that his leadership can turn around the fortunes of North Carolina’s offense in the upcoming season.