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FAYETTEVILLE -- Former University of Arkansas football Coach Bobby Petrino is in line to become offensive coordinator at North Carolina for Coach Bill Belichick, multiple media outlets reported on Monday.
The potential move was first reported by On3.com, though it had not been confirmed by the school.
In other Arkansas football news, defensive lineman Ian Geffrard, the most experienced returning defensive tackle on the roster, announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Monday. However, the UA is reportedly working working to retain the 6-5, 387-pounder, who had 25 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in his first season as a starter.
The portal opens for 15 days beginning on Jan. 2 in what is currently the only football transfer window on the NCAA's 2026 calendar.
Petrino, 64, was not retained on the staff of first-year Arkansas Coach Ryan Silverfield. The Razorbacks finished 0-7 after Petrino was elevated from offensive coordinator into the interim head coach role following Sam Pittman's firing on Sept. 28.
Based on the terms of his Arkansas contract, Petrino is owed roughly $1.87 million through February 2027 and that amount would be offset by is salary at North Carolina.
Petrino and Belichick, 73, would give the Tar Heels one the most experienced head coach-offensive coordinator combinations in all of football.
Petrino's 2025 offense started hot and remained in the top 10 in FBS total offense much of the season before eventually falling to 18th with 454.8 yards per game. The Razorbacks also rank in the top 25 in multiple other categories: 15th in red zone scoring (91.7%), 17th in third-down conversion percentage (47.9%), 25th in rushing per game (191.9 yards) and 25th in scoring per game (32.9 points).
North Carolina struggled offensively under coordinator Freddie Kitchens while going 4-8 in Belichick's first season. The Tar Heels ranked 129th in total offense (288.8 yards per game), 121st in scoring (19.3) and 122nd in rushing (105.3).
Petrino is one of several assistant coaches from last year's Arkansas staff who have been reported to take other jobs.
Defensive coordinator Travis Williams is reportedly set to join Mike Elko's Texas A&M staff as a linebackers coach. Offensive line coach Eric Mateos has been officially announced as taking the same position at Wisconsin. Running backs coach and interim offensive coordinator Kolby Smith is expected to be hired at Kentucky for new Coach Will Stein.
Geffrard would join a trio of Razorbacks who have announced or will reportedly enter the portal: offensive lineman Shaq McRoy, linebacker Tavion Wallace and defensive back Keshawn Davila.