Paul Finebaum explains why hiring Bobby Petrino was a 'really good move' by Jimbo Fisher

Texas A&M made an interesting hire this offseason, bringing in Bobby Petrino to fill the offensive coordinator position on Jimbo Fisher’s staff. SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was initially critical of the decision by Fisher, but he has now reversed course and believes the choice was a good one by the Aggies headman.

Finebaum broke down his change in opinion during Monday’s edition of McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.

“I will say, upon further reflection, and I’m going to bite my tongue as I say this, but I think it was a really good move by Jimbo Fisher,” Finebaum said of the hiring of Petrino. “The reality is, he had no choice. I don’t know if he could have found a more bizarre but more of a better choice than Bobby Petrino, because Bobby Petrino is not a young coach who is going to be looking over his shoulder. By bringing him in, it’s a roll of the dice. But if you’re Jimbo Fisher, anything other than a roll of the dice is a mistake.”

Petrino has SEC experience, leading the Arkansas program from 2008-2011. He most recently served as the head coach at Missouri State, holding that position from 2020-2022. Petrino initially accepted the UNLV offensive coordinator position before Texas A&M came calling, but he will now serve on staff in College Station in 2023.

Petrino obviously comes to Texas A&M as a well-known name, though his dismissal from Arkansas ended with plenty of controversy and issues.

By hiring Petrino, Fisher does bring an experienced mind to his coaching staff. But like Finebaum said, he also likely avoids the feeling of his hire looking over his shoulder.

Texas A&M’s 2022 season was a disappointing one. The Aggies started 3-1 before dropping six straight games to fall to 3-7 on the year. After winning the final two games of the season, Texas A&M finished 5-7 overall and 2-6 against SEC opponents. That record fell well below where expectations were set for the Aggies entering the year.

Many believe that, if not for Fisher’s substantial buyout, he would potentially have been let go. As many called for Fisher’s job across the country, others called for him to make a splash with his offensive coordinator hire. If Fisher would have hired a young, up-and-coming offensive coordinator, rumors would have continued to swirl about that hire taking over for Fisher if he was eventually let go. But to Finebaum, hiring Petrino eliminates that possibility.

Fisher still has plenty of pressure to succeed in 2023, but Finebaum believes that the hire of Petrino was one that served in the best interests of the Texas A&M head coach. How it all turns out will be interesting to follow.