After being selected as interim head coach in May 2021 for the Dream, Petersen ended his position in July 2021 due to his personal health.
[4] During his playing career at Northwest Christian, Petersen held the points per game season record in 1980 and was named the Most Valuable Player for the college that year.
[12][13] While with New Mexico State until 1996, the school reached the semifinals at the Big West Conference women's basketball tournament four times.
[16][17] As a Women's National Invitation Tournament competitor, Petersen and New Mexico State reached the first round of the 1995 preseason event.
[20] In 1996, Petersen joined the TCU Lady Frogs women's basketball team as their head coach.
[9] That year, Petersen joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team as an assistant coach.
[24][25] In 2004, Petersen became head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons women's basketball team.
[29] In April 2012, Petersen replaced Karen Aston as the head coach of the North Texas Mean Green women's basketball team.
[35] During the late 2010s, Petersen was a National Basketball Association scout as part of the New Orleans Pelicans before joining the Atlanta Dream in 2017.
[37] During the 2021 WNBA season, Petersen had 6 wins and 13 losses before ending his coaching position in July 2021 due to his personal health.