Chris Petrilli - Football Coach - University of Washington Athletics

UC Davis

Sep 6 (Sat)

8:00 p.m. PT

Chris Petrilli

Title:
Special Teams Coordinator

Chris Petrilli joined the UW football staff in February, 2025, as special teams coordinator. He comes to Seattle from Purdue, where he worked for former Boilermakers head coach and current UW defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.

In 2024, Petrilli served as Walters’ special team coordinator, having held the title of senior special teams analyst during the 2023 season.

In 2024, Purdue allowed just 11 kickoff returns for a total of just 217 yards (12^th fewest in FBS), and was third in the Big Ten Conference in net punting. Punter Keelan Crimmins finished the year 13^th in the nation with an average of 44.9 yards per punt. The Boilers also blocked a total of three kicks, good for 11^th in FBS.

In 2023, the Boilermakers averaged 24.2 yards per kick return for the program’s best return average since 2004, and fourth in program history. Third-team All-Big Ten honoree Tyrone Tracy Jr. ranked second in the Big Ten and 15th in the country in kickoff return average (25.5), best by a Boilermaker since 2013.

Prior to his time at Purdue, Petrilli spent six seasons as the outside linebackers and special teams coach at North Texas. Linebackers KD Davis and Mazin Richards earned All-Conference USA honors during the 2022 season, and under Petrilli’s tutelage, Ethan Mooney was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award on his way to becoming UNT’s all-time points leader. Mooney made 84.6 percent of his field goals in 2021 to lead Conference USA.

In his first season with an on-field role at UNT, Petrilli helped Mooney and long snapper Nate Durham both earn Honorable Mention All-CUSA. Petrilli also led the outside linebacker group that was part of a defense that finished second in Conference USA with 38 sacks and posted the biggest improvement of any FBS program by cutting its total yards allowed by 144.3 ypg.

Petrilli arrived at North Texas in 2017 as a special teams volunteer before becoming the Mean Green's defensive quality control coach prior to the 2019 season.

As a part of the staff in 2020, Petrilli coached defensive tackle Dion Novil, who earned first-team All-CUSA. Petrilli also assisted Mean Green defensive end Ladarius Hamilton to a stellar 2019 campaign that saw Hamilton finish with a team-high 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss.

Petrilli previously served as the defensive backs and returners coach at Drake University (FCS) in 2016 where he coached return specialist Terry Wallen and defensive back Caz Zyks to all-league honors. Wallen finished second in the FCS in punt returns with an average of 14.8 while the secondary notched nine interceptions in 2016.

Prior to his time at Drake, Petrilli spent the 2015 season at Boise State serving as the Broncos' special teams and defensive quality control coach, working with the secondary. The Broncos finished the season 9-4. Three defensive backs on that team went on to play in the NFL, corner Donte Deayon, corner Jonathan Moxey and safety Darian Thompson. Additionally, Tyler Rausa was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist and first-team All-Mountain West kicker.

Before joining the Broncos, Petrilli was the special teams, defensive backs and conditioning coach at the College of Idaho from 2013 to 2014. In the Yotes’ debut game after a 37-year hiatus, members of Petrilli’s special teams ran a kickoff return back for a TD, blocked a FG and blocked an extra point to help earn a 35-34 victory over Pacific University.

Petrilli coached at Charleston Southern University in 2012, working with the wide receivers and with special teams. Freshman WR Larry Jones III earned Second Team All-Big South honors.

Petrilli spent four years at Eagle High School in Idaho, serving as the running backs and returners coach. During his time at EHS, the Mustangs achieved back-to-back Idaho championship appearances, winning the state title in 2009. Petrilli also coached four running backs that went on to play at the collegiate level.

Prior to embarking on his coaching career, Petrilli served in the U.S. Army as a member of the elite military forces, serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division before receiving an honorable discharge.

Petrilli played football at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. During his time with the Fighting Saints, he contributed in all three phases of the game, spending time at free safety and wide receiver, as well as on special teams.

Petrilli graduated from Boise State in 2012, earning his degree in economics. He and his wife Christal have five children: Addisan, Andrew, Audrey, Asher and Adino.