Jason Petrino joined Winona State University in March of 2010 as the Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach. He comes to WSU from the University of Wyoming where he was the Director of Football Operations for the past two years. His duties include: coordinating team travel, overseeing the day-to-day administrative operations of the football office and monitoring budgetary and compliance issues relating to Cowboy Football.
Petrino, a native of Kalispell, Mont. spent three seasons (2005-07) as the defensive coordinator at the University of Mary, a NSIC school located in Bismarck, N.D. Aside from coordinating the Marauder defense, Petrino also coached the defensive backs and was the recruiting coordinator. He worked in many other capacities during his time at Mary, including working as a speed enhancement coach, an assistant strength coach, a gameday manager, a sports information director and an assistant equipment manager.
In his three seasons at the University of Mary, Petrino helped lead the Marauders to a 20-10 record. In 2007, Mary had the best defense in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. They led the conference in pass defense, allowing only 197.6 yards per game to opponents, and ranked second in rush defense, giving up only 94.4 yards per game.
Previous to his time at the University of Mary, Petrino helped coach the Wyoming safeties during the 2003 and `04 seasons. During his first season at UW, Petrino was a member of the coaching staff that led the Cowboy football team to home wins over rivals BYU and Colorado State. In his second season, he was part of a Wyoming team that defeated UCLA, 24-21, in the 2004 Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl.
Prior to his first stint at Wyoming, Petrino was the defensive backs' coach at his alma mater, Carroll College. At Carroll, he coached under Mike Van Diest. Petrino coached the Fighting Saints defensive backs for three seasons from 2000-02, winning the 2002 NAIA National Championship and winning the Frontier Conference Championship all three seasons.
Petrino played defensive back at Carroll College from 1995-99, serving as a team captain his senior year. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Carroll College and a Masters in Business Management from the University of Mary.
Petrino married the former Heather Fries on June 30, 2006. The couple have two children, Jason Michael born August 28, 2007 and Mikaylah Ann born July 16, 2009.
