A former Illinois coach has found his way back into the FBS after a long stint in the FCS. Ex-Idaho head coach Paul Petrino has accepted a job as an offensive analyst at South Alabama according to Monday reports.

Petrino was the OC at Illinois from 2010-2011. He also spent time at Arkansas and was most recently the head coach of Idaho from 2013-2021. South Alabama finished this past season 5-7 and 2-6 in Sun Belt play.


South Alabama is under first-year head coach Kevin Wommack, the former Indiana DC before becoming South Alabama’s head coach. This season, Petrino at Idaho was 4-7 and 3-5 in Big Sky. Overall Petrino’s record at Idaho was 34-66 in 7 seasons with the Vandals.

When Petrino was at Illinois, the Illini were 7-6 and 4-4 in B1G play in 2010, and in 2011 they were 7-6 and 2-6 in B1G play. The Illini started 6-0 before losing their next 6 games and then winning the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against UCLA 20-14 in 2011.

South Alabama opens the 2022 season against FCS opponent Nicholls on Saturday, Sept 3.