USA Today Sports
Anonymous SEC Coach Names Aggies Biggest Flaw Entering 2023 Season
Is there a coach in the SEC under more pressure than Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher? One could argue he's in a category of his own, but perhaps not for the reasons one would imagine.
In an interview with Lindy's Sports for preview magazine season, SEC coaches were asked about the hottest topics surrounding the sport. The Aggies, a year removed from finishing below .500 for the first time since 2008, were a subject of conversation due to the significance of the program's outlook.
Some coaches are sold that Fisher's play-calling has been the Achilles' heel that's held the Aggies back from flirting with trips to Atlanta as the SEC West representative. One coach, however, believes inept quarterback play has factored into the team's inability to produce wins.
"The Aggies' offense should be much improved," an anonymous SEC coach said. "But unless they can fix the quarterback issue, they've got a problem. You say, 'Petrino has a history of doing that.' Well, so does Jimbo; a long history. Let's give the man (Fisher) his due. It's not like he hasn't coached really good quarterbacks."
Fisher has spent decades working hand-and-hand with the development of quarterbacks. He helped JaMarcus Russell become the No. 1 overall pick in 2007 while serving as offensive coordinator at LSU. In 2013, Fisher was a staple in building the resume of Heisman winner and future No. 1 pick Jameis Winston en route to winning a national title at Florida State.
Since being hired in 2018, the Aggies have started five quarterbacks. Kellen Mond, a 2017 recruit who committed to the program under then-coach Kevin Sumlin, started three seasons after winning the starting job during Fisher's first year. Over the past two years, four passers have started at least one game.
Haynes King was expected to be the heir apparent and Fisher's next big-time protege, but injuries derailed his career and eventually led to his transfer. Zach Calzada possessed the arm strength, but struggled with accuracy and decision-making in his 10 starts. Max Johnson, a transfer from LSU, lacks the physical tools of a Calzada or King, but has remained consistent in the turnover.
Next up is former five-star Conner Weigman, perhaps Fisher's most polished prospect since Winston in Tallahassee. Last season, Weigman proved to have the skills needed to handle an SEC offense on Saturdays, throwing for over 900 yards and eight touchdowns without committing a turnover.
The hiring of new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino — on paper at least — should help with Weigman's development. Previously at Missouri State, Petrino has years of experience working with various quarterbacks, including Brian Brohm, Tyler Wilson, Ryan Mallet, and Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.
The Aggies' ranked 101st in scoring last season and 84th in passing. They haven't finished in the top 25 of scoring since Fisher's first season on campus and only have averaged more than 32.6 points per game twice since 2018.
A&M's put together four top 10 recruiting classes in the previous six seasons, landing the consensus top class in 2022. None of that matters if quarterback play fails to meet expectations.
Fisher faces pressure to deliver in 2023 before the arrival of Texas and Oklahoma come next fall, but perhaps offensive play design shouldn't be his biggest concern. Instead, attention must turn to finding the right architect who can adequately execute his offense for years to come.
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