VANDALS H
C OA
A
DC
HE
Paul
PETRINO From the minute he arrived on the University of Idaho campus, Paul Petrino infused the Vandals with an intensity that reverberated around the Kibbie Dome and throughout the Vandal Family. His practices mirror his personality – focused, intense and determined. Simply put, coaching football is in his blood. Tagging along with his dad, Bob Petrino, Sr., as he coached the Carroll College (Montana) Saints into national prominence, Petrino knew from the time he was six years old he wanted to coach. He played for his dad at Carroll and was the Football Gazette NAIA Division II Player of the Year and a two-time Kodak All-American quarterback after setting 16 school records during a career that included four conference titles and a 36-6 record from 1985-88.
24
“I’ve wanted to be a head coach my whole life,” said Petrino when he was hired and in numerous interviews since. “This is what I’ve wanted to do since I was six years old.” He’s paid his dues – and along the way has put to-
WHERE HE’S BEEN
2012 – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, Arkansas 2010-11 – Offensive coordinator/receivers, Illinois 2008-09 – Offensive coordinator/receivers, Arkansas 2007 – Receivers, Atlanta Falcons 2003-06 – Offensive coordinators/receivers, Louisville 2000-02 – Quarterbacks, Southern Mississippi 1998-99 – Receivers, Louisville 1995-97 – Receivers/special teams, Utah State 1992-94 – Running backs/receivers/special teams, Idaho 1990-91 – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, Carroll College
gether a résumé of success wherever he has been. Now he intends to bring that success back to the Vandals where, ironically, he started his Division I coaching career after spending two seasons at Carroll. He was clear in his mission when he was hired: “We want to win a whole bunch of games and go to bowls.” That is what he is accustomed to doing. During his 23 years as an assistant, he coached in 12 bowl games and five I-AA playoff games. He spent one season (2007) with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. As a Division I coach, he was on staffs who combined for a 152-93 record – a 65 percent winning percentage. He already made his mark at Idaho when he coached three players who have been inducted into the Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame – running back Sherriden May, and receivers Kasey Dunn and Yo Murphy. They are just a small sampling of the successes of his players. In the 2012 NFL draft, five offensive players under his tutelage were drafted. The group, which included