Report: Jimbo Fisher finalizing deal to hire Bobby Petrino as Texas A&M coordinator

Head coach Jimbo Fisher is in need of some offensive help and reportedly has his guy. According to Chris Low of ESPN, Texas A&M is “finalizing” a deal for Bobby Petrino to become the program’s next offensive coordinator.

This is a change in action for Petrino, who was originally heading to UNLV to work as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Barry Odom. Before accepting that role, he spent the last three seasons as the head coach of Missouri State.

“Jimbo Fisher is finalizing a deal to hire Bobby Petrino as @AggieFootball’s OC and Petrino will take over play-calling duties, sources tell ESPN,” Low said. “Petrino, one of the top offensive minds in football, was briefly OC at UNLV after spending last three seasons at Missouri State.”

Fisher will be entering uncharted waters in his Texas A&M career, turning over play-calling duties for the first time. He has been running the offensive show since taking over but heading into Year Six, some changes were desperately needed. The hope is Petrino can help springboard the Aggies near the top of the SEC offensively.

Petrino has worked in the SEC before, being the Arkansas head coach for four seasons and having success before turmoil struck. Before leaving Fayetteville, the Razorbacks had just completed an 11-win season capped off by a win in the Cotton Bowl.

There was a bridge year at Western Kentucky before heading back to Louisville as they entered the ACC. While things started well, things quickly went south and ended with a 2-8 regular season record including 0-7 in conference play.

Nonetheless, Petrino is not being hired for his head coaching abilities. Fisher is looking for his help to revitalize the Texas A&M offense, one that finished second to last in the SEC in scoring offense. There is thought to be a quarterback in place with Conner Weigman, while skill position players showed flashes a year ago.

Missouri State was able to put up just over 27 points per game last season but was better during 2021, coming in at 34.25 points per game. Petrino will be hoping for those kinds of results during his first year in College Station.