Paul Finebaum continues to praise Texas A&M’s hiring of Bobby Petrino
For all the criticism that Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M have received since hiring Bobby Petrino as the team’s new offensive coordinator, SEC Network’s lead college football analyst Paul Finebaum has continued to praise the acquisition, discussing the topic with ESPN’s Matt Barrie, who’s “last-ditch effort” CFB-based segment prompted Finebaum to explain why he believes Petrino will bring much-needed offensive ingenuity in 2023:
“It is a last-ditch effort Matt you are correct, but to me it’s ingenious,” Finebaum stated. “Because Bobby Petrino if you did a compilation of the top 10 offensive play-callers in the last 25 years he would be on there, he’s well thought of.”
Bobby Petrino’s four-year stint with Arkansas, and six-year reign with Louisville, which included aiding quarterback Lamar Jackson to win the Heisman Trophy in 2016, was built on Petrino’s prolific offenses averaging at least 400 yards in 16-of-20 seasons and 30 points per game in 15 seasons, while his teams have eclipsed the 500-yard and 40-point thresholds five and three times.
After a short three-year stint at Missouri State, Petrino is ready to put all his baggage aside and focus on redeeming his image as an elite play-caller in the FBS. And yes, we all know that Jimbo Fisher is taking a notable gamble with this hire, but Finebaum feels that adding another former head coach to his staff will yield more immediate benefits.
The fact that he’s got no personality, and has been fired, and involved in personal scandals, and all kinds of other controversy, you know that. But Jimbo Fisher I think said you know what, I’ve got to at least go through the motions here and he went out and brought in Petrino. Which I think was smart as opposed to just going to the most obvious choice of an available offensive coordinator, which probably wouldn’t get the job done,”
Texas A&M’s uninspired offense last season ranked 101st in the country, certainly isn’t the only reason for the Aggies’ 5-7 (2-6 SEC) campaign, and if Fisher had gone in the direction of hiring a young “up and comer” at the position, who knows how well Jimbo Fisher would have adjusted to giving up play-calling duties. So, will it all work out in 2023? Finebaum seems to be… encouraged?
“I don’t know whether it will work, I suspect it will work short term. What happens if there’s a terrible third-down call that costs them a big game?” Finebaum asked. “Jimbo’s not one to take too much blame himself, so he’ll probably throw Bobby Petrino under the bus and the world of podcasts and YouTube channels will be in overdrive the next day. But I think it was the right call, it was a desperate call, but it was the right call.”
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.
