Bob Petrino, the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons, has been promoted to offensive coordinator by head coach Tom Coughlin. Petrino, 39, is entering his 19th year in coaching, including 10 previous seasons as an offensive coordinator at the college level.
"Bob Petrino has earned this advancement," Coughlin said. "He is well qualified to be our offensive coordinator, he is extremely capable, and he has proven to me that this is the right move and the right time."
Petrino joined the Jaguars' staff on February 10, 1999 after serving as offensive coordinator at Louisville. His 16-year career as a college coach included stints as offensive coordinator at five schools: Carroll College (1985-86), Idaho (1989-91), Nevada (1994), Utah State (1995-97) and Louisville (1998). Petrino has been involved in offenses that led the nation at three collegiate levels: NAIA, Division I-AA and Division 1-A.
"Our offensive staff will continue to prepare as a group, and Bob will be the play-caller beginning this season," added Coughlin, who has called plays for the offense the last two years. "This was my ultimate plan when I hired Bob two years ago, and his development and growth has been exactly what I hoped for. Our philosophy and approach to offense, and our strong belief in offensive balance, are the same. Bob has proven to be very thorough and very smart in his preparation. I have no reservations about turning over the play-calling duties at this time because of what Bob has demonstrated in his first two seasons with us. That is the reason for this promotion."
Petrino becomes the third offensive coordinator on Coughlin's staff in seven years, after the first two left to become NFL head coaches. Kevin Gilbride was the team's first offensive coordinator in 1995 and '96 before being named head coach of the San Diego Chargers. Chris Palmer was the offensive coordinator in 1997 and '98 prior to being chosen as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Coughlin took on play-calling duties for the 1999 and 2000 seasons after Palmer's departure.
Petrino was a NAIA All-America quarterback for Carroll College in Helena, Mont. He led the school to three Frontier Conference championships and was selected league MVP twice. Petrino's father, Bob, is in the NAIA Coaches Hall of Fame after serving 29 years as head coach at Carroll College. His brother, Paul, is the quarterbacks coach at Southern Mississippi.
"I am excited about the opportunity to coordinate the offense," said Petrino. "It is something that I have worked for all my life. I would like to thank Tom for the opportunity. I am very confident that we will do well, and I look forward to working with the weapons that we have on the Jaguars."
