UNLV hires Bobby Petrino as new offensive coordinator under Barry Odom

Bobby Petrino is set to return to FBS coaching, joining Barry Odom’s new staff at UNLV as the team’s new offensive coordinator, according to On3’s Matt Zenitz. ESPN’s Chris Low first reported Petrino’s hire at UNLV on Thursday morning.

Bobby Petrino has extensive head coaching experience, including most recently at FCS Missouri State. However, he also has FBS head coaching experience at Louisville, Arkansas, and Western Kentucky, as well as a poor NFL stint with the Atlanta Falcons.

Bobby Petrino is returning to the FBS ranks as the offensive coordinator at UNLV under new coach Barry Odom, sources tell ESPN. Petrino was head coach at Missouri State the last three seasons. He’s widely regarded as one of the top offensive minds/play-callers in the game.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 15, 2022

Petrino’s career record in college is 137-71 while his NFL record is 3-10.

One of the best play callers in college football, Bobby Petrino is seen as a great offensive mind. However, controversy has also followed him, most notably at the end of his Arkansas tenure.

Previously, it had been rumored that Bobby Petrino was a top candidate to become the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. Clearly, however, that didn’t materialize in a way that worked out for both sides as Texas A&M looks to breathe new life into its offense for the 2023 season.

UNLV hasn’t been bowl-eligible since 2013 and has only been bowl-eligible twice in the 21st century. This is a program that needs to have new life breathed into it, and Bobby Petrino has the ability to do that on the offensive side of the ball, at least.