Petrino replaces interim coach Jason Gesser, who was been leading the team since Robb Akey was fired late in October. The Vandals finished 2012 with a record of 1-11, with a 1-5 mark in Western Athletic Conference action.
Petrino had been an assistant at Idaho from 1992-94 and also spent a season in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. He had been serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas,
"I'm very excited," Petrino said. "It's a dream come true. I've wanted to be a head coach my whole life. I had a chance to come back out to the Northwest."
Idaho will play as an independent in 2013 as the school is still looking for a conference for its football team to play in.