It's pretty well documented that Oregon did, indeed, reach out to Petersen on numerous occasions. Bellotti is actually good friends with him. Petersen said candidly for a number of years that Washington was the only job for which he'd consider leaving Boise State, as they had the culture, academics, and resources that fit most with his philosophy. USC and Oregon had the resources, but it comes down to culture, and Petersen is far more in line with a Don James than a Chip Kelly. 

http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/12/mike_bellotti_says_chris_peter.html