Bill Belichick might have been one of the winningest coaches in the history of the NFL thanks in large part to his time with the New England Patriots, where he guided them to six Super Bowl wins.
However, that success hasn’t translated smoothly to college. Now he is making a bold move to fix North Carolina’s struggling offense.
How Is Bill Belichick Trying To Transform UNC’s Performance?
UNC is working toward hiring former Arkansas, Louisville, and Atlanta Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino as its next offensive coordinator, sources confirmed to ESPN.
On3 first reported the news, with college football analyst Pete Thamel later confirming the hire on X. Petrino is set to join Belichick’s staff in Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels look for a complete offensive reset heading into 2026.
Petrino brings a dramatically different offensive profile. While Arkansas’ record under his leadership may not have reflected it, the Razorbacks consistently fielded one of the most productive offenses in the country.
UNC is working toward hiring Bobby Petrino as the new offensive coordinator, sources confirm to ESPN. Petrino is the former head coach at Arkansas, Louisville and the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll set to join Bill Belichick’s staff in Chapel Hill. On3 first reported.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 22, 2025
Arkansas averaged 454.8 yards per game and 32.9 points per contest, ranking among the nation’s top offenses. Advanced metrics underscore the effectiveness of Petrino’s system. The Razorbacks posted an offensive impact grade of 90.0, the fifth-highest in college football, alongside Notre Dame, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and Indiana, all of which were 10-win teams in 2025.
The offensive line earned a 92.2 team PFSN impact grade, second-best nationally, while quarterback Taylen Green delivered high-level play with an 84.9 QB impact grade, ranking 27th in the country. That production came despite Arkansas finishing the season with a -11 turnover margin and a loss column heavier than the win column.
UNC Moves On From Freddie Kitchens After Costly Offensive Struggles
The decision comes on the heels of North Carolina firing offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens on Friday. Kitchens will not return in 2026 despite being in the middle of a two-year, $2.3 million contract. The deal paid $1.15 million in 2025 and was scheduled to pay $1.2 million in 2026. UNC will honor the buyout provisions in the deal and pay Kitchens the remaining salary.
Kitchens previously served as UNC’s tight ends coach and run game coordinator in 2023 before taking over as interim head coach in 2024 following Mack Brown’s firing. He was retained by Belichick for the 2025 season, but the results were difficult to overlook.
North Carolina averaged just 19.3 points per game in 2025, ranking 119th out of 136 FBS teams, and finished 129th nationally in total offense. The Tar Heels stumbled to a four-win season, often undone by an inability to sustain drives or finish scoring opportunities.
Belichick’s Defense Has Some Help
Now, Petrino’s offensive creativity and quarterback development will be paired with Belichick’s legendary defensive prowess. An eight-time Super Bowl champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, Belichick brings structure and defensive discipline to Chapel Hill.
If Petrino can replicate his Arkansas offensive output and Belichick’s defense performs at its expected level, North Carolina could be positioned for a significant turnaround. The blend of elite offensive efficiency and Belichick-level defense gives the Tar Heels a far more promising outlook heading into the 2026 season.