Jason Petrino teamed up with head coach Joe Glenn in 2012 for the third time in his career, this time as his defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach.
Petrino now enters his fourth year as South Dakota’s defensive coordinator. In 2013, the Coyotes topped the Missouri Valley Football Conference in sacks (sixth nationally), opponent fourth down conversion (first nationally) and ranked ninth nationally in pass defense. In the same season, they 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 Atlanta Falcons.
Petrino has served as defensive coordinator in eight of the last 10 college football seasons. He has experience utilizing multiple fronts and schemes (3-4, 4-3, 3-3-5) while coaching both defensive backs and linebackers. His belief is that success is achieved from having the right players with the basic fundamentals in line, rather than the scheme. At Wyoming, Petrino was a part of the defensive staff that helped the Cowboys secure bowl victories in the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl vs. UCLA (24-21) and the 2009 New Mexico Bowl vs. Fresno State (35-28).
In between those bowl victories, Petrino spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at the University of Mary, a Division II school in Bismark, N.D. In 2007, his defense ranked number one 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. From 1995-1999, Petrino was a team captain and second-team all-conference defensive back for the Fighting Saints. He stayed on head coach Mike Van Diest’s coaching staff for three seasons.
Entering his 16th 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. Together they have three children in Jason (8), Mikaylah (6), and Patrick (4). He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Carroll College and his MBA in management from the University of Mary.
"Jason is an intelligent individual and is one of the finest young coordinators I've been around," said Glenn. "He lives and sleeps the game and can flat out coach. He has had great experiences as a defensive coordinator and he can not only coach the players, but can coach the coaches."
