Jason Petrino was named the 17th head football coach in Rocky Mountain College history on January 21, 2016.
He comes to Rocky after spending the past four years as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach under legendary coach Joe Glenn at the University of South Dakota. The 39-year-old replaced Brian Armstrong, who spent the last seven years leading the Battlin’ Bears.
This past season, the Petrino-led USD defensive unit finished in the top third of the Missouri Valley Football Conference – arguably the best conference in the FCS – in the major defensive statistical categories including overall defense, run defense, and pass defense. As defensive coordinator, he helped lead the Coyotes over five-time FCS National Champions North Dakota State, snapping their 26-game home winning streak.
In 2013, the Coyotes topped the MVFC in sacks (sixth nationally), opponent fourth down conversion (first nationally), and ranked ninth nationally in pass defense. In the same season, the USD defense finished second in the MVFC in turnovers gained (18) and interceptions (11). Petrino’s defense was led by 2013 MVFC Defensive Player of the Year Tyler Starr, who currently plays for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Petrino has served as defensive coordinator in nine of the last 11 college football seasons. He has experience utilizing multiple fronts and schemes while coaching both defensive backs and linebackers. His belief is that success is achieved from having the right players who possess the proper fundamentals, rather than scheme. At Wyoming, where he served two tours (2003-04 – safeties coach, 2009-10 – director of football operations), Petrino was part of the defensive staff that helped the Cowboys secure bowl victories in the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl versus UCLA (24-21) and the 2009 New Mexico Bowl versus Fresno State (35-28).
Between those bowl victories, Petrino spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at the University of Mary, a NCAA Division II school located in Bismarck, N.D. In 2007, his defense ranked No. 1 in total defense, pass defense, and red zone defense. The Marauders also ranked second in scoring and rush defense.
Petrino’s coaching career began in 2000 at his alma mater, Carroll College (Mont.), where he coached the defensive backs on the 2002 NAIA National Championship team. He stayed on head coach Mike Van Diest’s Carroll College coaching staff for three seasons.
From 1995-99, Petrino was a team captain and second-team All-Frontier Conference defensive back for the Fighting Saints.
Entering his 17th year at the collegiate level, Petrino has guided seven players to the NFL. These athletes include two-time Super Bowl Champion Derrick Martin (Wyoming 2003-05), John Wendling (Wyoming 2003-05), Chris Prozinski (Wyoming 2008-10), Tashaun Gipson (Wyoming 2008-10), Tyler Starr (South Dakota 2012-14), Jarrid Bryant (South Dakota 2013-14), and Steve Tellefsen (South Dakota 2012-15).
A native of Kalispell, Mont., Petrino is married to the former Heather Fries (Helena, Mont.). Together they have three children: Jason (9), Mikaylah (7) and Patrick (5), as well as parental guardians of Kruz (6) and Danika (3) Romine. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Carroll College in 2000, and an MBA in management from the University of Mary in 2009.
