Petrino Guides Former Razorback Star as Mentor and Father Figure

Bobby Petrino's coaching influence extends beyond the field, as he continues to mentor and support former Arkansas player Tramain Thomas in his coaching career.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:58am

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An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting the intertwined figures of a football coach and player, their forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes that convey a sense of motion and energy.The enduring bond between a former player and his mentor coach transcends the field, as their close relationship continues to shape a young coach's career path.Springdale Today

Despite moving to North Carolina as the offensive coordinator, former Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino remains a close mentor and father figure to Tramain Thomas, a former Razorback safety who is now an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina. Petrino helped bring Thomas to Arkansas and has guided his coaching career, even as Thomas has worked for Petrino's son-in-law and other Petrino proteges at Coastal Carolina and Missouri State.

Why it matters

This story highlights the lasting impact and influence a coach can have on a player, even long after their playing days are over. Petrino's continued mentorship of Thomas, who he recruited to Arkansas, demonstrates the powerful bonds that can form between coaches and players, and how those relationships can shape a young coach's career trajectory.

The details

Tramain Thomas, a former All-SEC safety at Arkansas from 2008-2012, has remained extremely close with his former coach Bobby Petrino, who is now the offensive coordinator at North Carolina. Petrino helped bring Thomas to Arkansas and has served as a father figure and mentor, offering advice and support as Thomas has climbed the coaching ranks. Even after Petrino left Arkansas, he continued to visit Thomas when he was an assistant at Missouri State, where Petrino's son-in-law Ryan Beard is the head coach. Now at Coastal Carolina, Thomas is reunited with the Petrino family, as Beard brought along Petrino's son Nick as the offensive coordinator and Petrino's son-in-law L.D. Scott as the defensive coordinator.

  • In 2007, Bobby Petrino left the Atlanta Falcons to become the head coach at Arkansas, where he recruited Tramain Thomas.
  • Thomas played for Petrino at Arkansas from 2008-2012, helping the Razorbacks to 21 wins and bowl game appearances.
  • After his playing career ended, Thomas got into coaching, starting at his high school alma mater before landing a graduate assistant job at Midwestern State in 2016.
  • In 2018, Thomas reunited with Petrino as a defensive quality control coach at Louisville.
  • In 2019, Petrino hired Thomas as the defensive backs coach at Missouri State, where he worked for Petrino's son-in-law Ryan Beard.

The players

Bobby Petrino

The offensive coordinator at North Carolina and former head coach at Arkansas, who has served as a mentor and father figure to Tramain Thomas.

Tramain Thomas

A former All-SEC safety at Arkansas from 2008-2012 who is now the safeties coach at Coastal Carolina, where he has reunited with the Petrino family.

Ryan Beard

The head coach at Coastal Carolina, who is married to Bobby Petrino's daughter and brought Thomas onto his staff.

Nick Petrino

The offensive coordinator at Coastal Carolina, who is Bobby Petrino's son.

L.D. Scott

The defensive coordinator at Coastal Carolina, who is married to Bobby Petrino's daughter.

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What they’re saying

“He's been kind of a father figure to me. So I'm always eyes and ears wide open anytime I'm around him because he's always trying to help, whether that's giving advice or just making you feel like you're special.”

— Tramain Thomas, Safeties Coach, Coastal Carolina

“Being the football junkie he is, he came to a couple practices one time when they had spring break. We were able to talk to him, pick his brain about the Razorbacks, and he was picking our brain about how things were going.”

— Tramain Thomas, Safeties Coach, Coastal Carolina

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the lasting impact a coach can have on a player, even long after their playing days are over. Petrino's continued mentorship of Thomas, and the way he has helped guide Thomas' coaching career, shows the powerful bonds that can form between coaches and players and how those relationships can shape a young coach's trajectory.