Bob Petrino, a Butte native, coached Carroll’s football team for 27 years, from 1971-98. During that time, the Saints captured or shared 16 Conference championships, and qualified for the NAIA play-offs eight times – including four straight from 1986-89 – while reaching the semi-finals four times. Coach Petrino’s teams posted winning seasons 24 out of 28 possible, while achieving four undefeated regular seasons; 1973, 1978, 1986 and 1988. After his Saints went unbeaten in 1973, but were not invited to the post season, coach Petrino worked hard to help make the playoff qualifications more fair for everyone.
When his 1978 gridders went undefeated, they became only the second Frontier Conference team to participate in the NAIA grid playoffs. At the time he retired, with a career record of 163-90-2 records (64.4%), Bob ranked No. 7 on the NAIA coaching list. A 12-time Frontier Coach of the Year, Bob Petrino was eventually inducted into five Halls of Fame; NAIA National Hall of Fame, Montana Coaches Association HOF, Butte Athletic HOF, Carroll College HOF and Helena Sports HOF.
“Many of his former players went on to become successful teachers, coaches, doctors, lawyers, businessmen and politicians,” wrote his son-in-law (and one-time assistant) Mark Samson. “And they will all tell you that much of their success is due to the work ethic instilled in them by Coach Petrino.”
