Ainias Smith: Bobby Petrino has 'sparked the energy' at Texas A&M

Bobby Petrino’s hire as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M has been one of the most talked about staff moves of the offseason, if not the most. Even so, Aggie WR Ainias Smith hopes it’s positive conversation considering what he has already brought to College Station.

Smith shared his appreciation for Petrino during SEC Media Days on Monday. He said that Petrino’s ability to open up A&M’s playbook has already sparked “energy” and “light” throughout their offense.

“One thing I’ll definitely say is Coach Petrino has come in and sparked the energy, sparked some light in us, opened up the playbook a little bit more,” Smith said. “(I’m) not going to speak too much on scheme-wise but it’s very exciting.”

Petrino will need to make an instant impact on Texas A&M’s offense considering the Aggies placed in last overall in the SEC last year. They did so in large part due to their offense considering the unit finished 101st in the country by averaging 22.8 points per game.

There’s reason to believe that Petrino will find what A&M is needing on offense based on his resume. Over his stops at Louisville, Arkansas, and Western Kentucky, he helped all three programs post offenses anywhere from No. 1 to No. 55 during the course of his time at each.

That storyline continued over the past three seasons at Missouri State until Jimbo Fisher brought him in.

Again, Petrino’s hire is high-profile and a big swing by Fisher and the Aggies. However, Smith is fully bought in on the idea of it considering how A&M’s offense has started to take shape with him wearing the headset in some capacity now.

Fisher gives curious response to Bobby Petrino calling plays for Texas A&M

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher isn’t revealing any secrets regarding the Aggies’ offensive plans this fall. When a reporter asked the 57-year-old about offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s role in play-calling, Fisher was particularly vague.

“I’m not going to get into that. Bobby was hired for a reason. Tremendous guy. Tremendous football mind. Hopefully, he’ll call the game & have suggestions,” Fisher said at SEC Media Days on Monday.

Hopefully? After going 5-7 last season and 2-6 in conference play, Texas A&M is in hot water. Most fans assumed that adding Petrino would release some of that heat off Fisher.

Despite the odd comments, Fisher insisted he respects Petrino.

“When you get to (play) calling, and you get on a roll, you need a guy that can do it, and I think Bobby can definitely do that better than anybody in college football. And I have great respect for him. We’ve had great admiration for each other for a long time,” Fisher said.