Becky Petrino: Everything About Bobby Petrino’s Wife, Kids, Career, and Legacy

Becky Petrino, born Rebecca Schaff, is best known as the wife of college football coach Bobby Petrino, but her own story is one of quiet strength and steady devotion to family. While her husband has spent decades in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of college athletics, Becky has chosen to live a private life, focusing on raising their four children and keeping their family grounded through triumphs and controversies. Growing up in Montana and later attending Carroll College, she developed the values of loyalty, resilience, and faith that have guided her throughout her marriage. Though rarely in the spotlight, Becky’s presence has been the anchor of the Petrino household, showing that true influence often happens away from public attention.

Quick Bio: Becky Petrino

Early Life and Background

Becky Petrino was born and raised in Missoula, Montana, where she grew up surrounded by the rugged landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and the strong sense of loyalty, faith, and family that characterize small-town Montana life. She attended Loyola Sacred Heart High School, a Catholic school that emphasized academics, service, and faith-based values, before moving on to Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Carroll College, a Catholic liberal arts institution, further reinforced the ideals of community, loyalty, and service that Becky would later carry into her marriage and family life. These formative years instilled in her the resilience and discretion that have defined her role as the wife of a high-profile college football coach.

How Old Is Becky Petrino?

Becky Petrino’s exact age has never been publicly shared, and her date of birth is not available in official records. However, since she attended Carroll College in the early 1980s and married Bobby Petrino in 1985, it is estimated that she is in her late 50s to early 60s. This would place her close in age to her husband, Bobby Petrino, who was born in 1961.

Meeting Bobby Petrino and Love Story

It was at Carroll College that Becky met her future husband, Bobby Petrino, who was then a young quarterback with dreams of making a career in coaching. The two connected over their shared Montana roots, Catholic values, and ambitions for the future, forming a bond that would grow deeper through the challenges of Bobby’s early coaching career. Their love story remained private and unassuming, a pattern that would follow them throughout their lives, and in the summer of 1985, they were married in a ceremony that reflected their preference for intimacy and simplicity over public spectacle. This marriage became the foundation for a lifelong partnership built on mutual support and enduring commitment.

Marriage and Family Life

As Bobby Petrino’s coaching career took him across the country, from college programs to the NFL and back, Becky became the steady anchor of the family, ensuring that their home life remained stable despite frequent relocations. Together, Becky and Bobby raised four children—Nick, Kelsey, Bobby Jr., and Katie—instilling in them the same values of resilience and loyalty that defined her own upbringing.

Despite the pressures of living in the public eye, Becky prioritized privacy and normalcy for her children, keeping them shielded from media attention and making sure they grew up with their own identities rather than being defined solely as the children of a well-known coach. Each move, whether to Arkansas, Louisville, Atlanta, or Missouri State, came with challenges, but Becky’s ability to create a welcoming home and sense of stability became the glue that held the Petrino family together.

Who Is Bobby Petrino?

Bobby Petrino is an American college football coach known for his offensive expertise and a career filled with both success and controversy. Born on March 10, 1961, in Lewistown, Montana, he played quarterback at Carroll College before starting his coaching journey as a graduate assistant there. Over the years, he has led programs such as Louisville, Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and Missouri State, and also served briefly as head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

While his career includes high points like guiding teams to major bowl games and producing top quarterbacks, it has also faced setbacks, most notably his 2012 scandal at Arkansas. Despite challenges, Petrino remains one of the most recognizable and experienced offensive minds in college football.

Becky Petrino as a Mother and Homemaker

Much of Becky Petrino’s life has been defined by her dedication to motherhood and her role as the family’s steady presence while Bobby was on the road for recruiting, games, and coaching duties. She attended her children’s school events, supported them in athletics and extracurriculars, and guided them through the constant transitions that come with a coaching family’s lifestyle.

Her influence can be seen in her children’s paths—Nick and Bobby Jr. pursued coaching careers, while Kelsey and Katie found their own professional niches—each carrying forward the values Becky instilled. Though her husband’s career often drew headlines, Becky’s quiet and consistent commitment to her children created the foundation for their personal and professional development.

Public Role and Media Presence

Unlike many spouses of high-profile coaches who embrace a public role, Becky Petrino has always chosen when and how she appears in the media, carefully curating her presence. She attends select games and events in support of Bobby, but she avoids press interviews and maintains a low profile in public spaces. On Instagram, where she shares occasional posts, Becky offers glimpses into her personal life through photos of family gatherings, holiday traditions, and milestone celebrations. These posts are less about building a public brand and more about staying connected with friends and family, reflecting her authentic and family-first nature. Her approach sets her apart from others in similar positions, as she consistently prioritizes privacy over publicity.

The 2012 Scandal and Resilience

Becky Petrino’s strength was tested most publicly during the 2012 Arkansas scandal, when Bobby was dismissed from his position after revelations of an affair with staffer Jessica Dorrell and a now-infamous motorcycle accident. The media frenzy was relentless, and the Petrino family found themselves in the harsh glare of national attention. Becky, however, chose silence over spectacle, refusing to fuel the controversy with statements or public appearances. Instead, she focused on maintaining stability for her children and handling the crisis privately. Her dignified approach underscored her resilience, her loyalty to her family, and her commitment to handling personal matters away from the cameras and headlines.

Life After the Headlines

In the years following the Arkansas scandal, Becky Petrino remained committed to rebuilding family life and moving forward with grace and discretion. As Bobby worked to restore his coaching career, taking positions at Western Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri State, and eventually Texas A&M, Becky ensured that family came first. Her social media posts show a woman who has found peace and joy again, celebrating her children’s achievements, enjoying family vacations, and embracing everyday life. The ordeal appears to have strengthened Becky’s resolve to protect her family’s privacy while continuing to be supportive of her husband’s career, proving her ability to balance resilience with loyalty.

Personal Interests and Lifestyle

Outside of her family responsibilities, Becky Petrino enjoys hobbies that reflect her active and balanced lifestyle, including golf and tennis, both of which she has played recreationally for years. Her taste in music is eclectic, spanning country, rock, and Christian genres, which reflects her down-to-earth and faith-driven personality. She has also remained deeply connected to her faith and community, consistently putting her values into practice through the way she raises her family and interacts with others. Above all, her personal life continues to revolve around maintaining a strong family unit and nurturing the people closest to her.

Charitable Work and Family Foundation

Although Becky does not seek attention for her philanthropic efforts, she has supported the Petrino Family Foundation, a charitable organization that focuses on community service, education, and health-related initiatives. The foundation, spearheaded by her daughter Kelsey Petrino Scott, has given the Petrino family an avenue to give back to the communities that have supported them during Bobby’s coaching career. While Becky’s involvement has been largely behind the scenes, her support and encouragement have been integral to the foundation’s mission, reinforcing her role as a quiet but meaningful contributor to the family’s philanthropic legacy.

Net Worth and Financial Life

Becky Petrino’s personal net worth has never been publicly disclosed, as she has always maintained a private stance regarding financial details. Her husband Bobby, however, has an estimated net worth of around $5 million, primarily earned through his long career as a college football coach. While financial figures often define the public perception of high-profile families, Becky’s life has always been more focused on stability, privacy, and family values than material wealth. Her financial role has been that of a supportive partner who prioritizes the long-term well-being of her family over public scrutiny.

Legacy and Influence

The true legacy of Becky Petrino lies not in public accomplishments or headlines but in the quiet influence she has had on her family and those around her. As a wife, mother, and partner, she has been the steady foundation behind one of college football’s most visible figures, embodying resilience during times of both triumph and controversy. Her impact is evident in her children’s values and careers, her husband’s ability to continue coaching after setbacks, and her consistent demonstration that one can live authentically without succumbing to public pressure. Becky’s story resonates with anyone who understands the challenge of supporting a public figure while maintaining one’s own sense of identity.

Conclusion

Becky Petrino’s story is one of quiet strength, unwavering loyalty, and remarkable resilience. While her husband Bobby has built a career that has often been under the intense glare of public scrutiny, Becky has chosen a different path, keeping her life grounded in faith, family, and community. She has faced challenges head-on, supported her children through constant transitions, and weathered storms with dignity and grace. Her legacy is not measured in headlines but in the stability and values she has instilled in her family, making her a powerful example of how to remain true to oneself while living alongside fame.

FAQs About Becky Petrino

1. Who is Becky Petrino?
Becky Petrino, born Rebecca Schaff, is the wife of college football coach Bobby Petrino. She is known for her private life and dedication to her family.

2. How old is Becky Petrino?
Becky Petrino’s exact age is not publicly known, but based on her college years in the early 1980s, she is estimated to be in her late 50s to early 60s.

3. Where was Becky Petrino born?
She was born and raised in Missoula, Montana, where she also attended Loyola Sacred Heart High School before studying at Carroll College in Helena.

4. When did Becky and Bobby Petrino get married?
Becky and Bobby Petrino were married on July 20, 1985, after meeting during their college years at Carroll College.

5. How many children do Becky and Bobby Petrino have?
The couple has four children: Nick Petrino, Kelsey Petrino Scott, Bobby Petrino Jr., and Katie Beard.

6. Was Becky Petrino involved in the 2012 Arkansas scandal?
No, Becky was not involved directly. The scandal centered on Bobby Petrino, but Becky supported her family privately and avoided public attention.

7. Is Becky Petrino active on social media?
Becky maintains a very low-key presence on Instagram, where she shares occasional family photos, but she avoids public spotlight and media attention.

8. What are Becky Petrino’s hobbies and interests?
She enjoys golf, tennis, and listening to country, rock, and Christian music. Her main focus has always been family, faith, and community.