'He's Been Great': Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork Discusses Hiring Of OC Bobby Petrino
COLLEGE STATION -- As Bobby Petrino begins his stint as Texas A&M's new offensive coordinator, all eyes will be fixated on the quarterback position. Not to mention, all eyes will be on Petrino as well after a wild offseason.
Hired by UNLV as its next offensive coordinator, Petrino spent less than a month in Las Vegas under new Rebels coach Barry Odom before electing to take the same position in Aggieland. Fifth-year coach Jimbo Fisher is hopeful that Petrino's vast background — primarily with gunslingers — will set the tone on offense after a lost 2022 campaign.
“Being around him before he hit the recruiting trail, high energy guy, positive guy,” Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork said Wednesday night following the announcement of the new 12th Man+ Fund. “He wants to make an impact at this level again. That was the main reason why he came to A&M. He wants to be around the best football. So he has been great from my perspective.”
Petrino, 61, spent the past three seasons as the head coach at FCS Missouri State, leading the Bears to an 18-15 record and a pair of playoff appearances. Prior to that, Petrino was a staple at the FBS level, spending two stints at Louisville (2003-06, 2014-18) and four seasons at Arkansas.
The news of the hiring made national headlines, largely due to Petrino's off-the-field baggage from his time at Arkansas. Fisher, who currently is 39-21 during his time in College Station, weighed his options when making the hire following Darrell Dickey's firing after a 5-7 season.
On the one hand, Petrino could be a massive blunder of a hire, met with criticism from the media and a sour taste among fans. Conversely, Petrino's track record in offensive play-calling might be the push needed to send A&M to the College Football Playoff for the first time since its inauguration in 2014.
Unlike Dickey and co-offensive coordinator James Coley, Petrino is expected to have full control of the play-calling in his first season. The move marks the first time Fisher won't call plays since being named head coach at Florida State in 2010.
Petrino, who helped develop current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson into a Heisman Trophy winner in 2016, will now be tasked with a similar duty, this time working with Conner Weigman. The Cypress native is locked in entering spring practice as the starting quarterback following his success late last fall.
Weigman, a rising sophomore, threw for 896 yards and eight touchdowns in five games. His best game came against Ole Miss, going 28-of-44 for 338 yards and four touchdowns. Weigman's highlight moment came in the Aggies season finale against No. 5 LSU when he threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 38-23 upset.
Fisher has yet to finalize the rest of the offense that Petrino will have at his disposal, but A&M is slated to have a plethora of veterans returning, including offensive lineman Layden Robinson, receiver Ainias Smith and tight end Max Wright.
"I am very happy to add Bobby as our offensive coordinator," Fisher said in the statement on January 4. "I always had tremendous respect for him as a head coach, offensive coordinator and play caller. He is one of the best minds in college football. Bobby has a reputation for developing players and we are extremely excited to have him on our staff."
The Aggies will begin spring football practice on March 20. A&M will be allotted 15 practices before the annual Maroon and White Game on April 15.
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