Why I like the hire of Bobby Petrino as A&M's offensive coordinator

Seven more points. One more touchdown.

That would’ve been the difference in Texas A&M going 10-2 instead of 5-7 last season.

That’s why the hiring of a new offensive coordinator should be celebrated in College Station… regardless of identity.

That the identity is Bobby Petrino has opened up Texas A&M and head coach Jimbo Fisher for ridicule and scorn.

Frankly, that’s why I like the addition of Petrino.

Fisher knew Petrino’s hiring would be controversial. He knew hiring Petrino could elicit criticism from Paul Finebaum and other national media. Yet, he felt strongly enough about Petrino to make the move anyway.

Aggies should respect that. Too often, it seems, Aggies look to the media for approval and confirmation only to be met with double standards and dismissal.

Andrew Jansen/News-Leader

In three years at Missouri State, Petrino took the Bears to the FCS playoffs twice.

Of course, national media will ridicule the Petrino hire. That’s what the media does when A&M is the subject.

That’s what the media did when A&M pursued Jimbo Fisher. That’s what the media did when Fisher angrily responded to Alabama coach Nick Saban’s unsubstantiated allegations about A&M buying recruits.

Petrino has given the media plenty of ammunition.

Yes, as offensive coordinator at Auburn, he conspired with boosters to take the head coach position away from Tommy Tuberville.

Yes, as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, he quit before the season ended to take the head coach position at Arkansas.

Yes, at Arkansas, he was involved in an illicit affair with a staffer he had personally hired.

That was 11 years ago.

Petrino paid his penance just as Auburn coach Hugh Freeze, LSU coach Brian Kelly and Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin paid theirs.

Petrino can coach offense. He’s a brilliant play-caller. He’ll have more overall talent with which to work than he ever did at Arkansas or Louisville. In four years at Arkansas, Petrino never had a recruiting class ranked higher than 20th. In nine years (two stints) at Louisville, his highest-rated recruiting class was 23rd.

A long-time friend close to the Arkansas program called Petrino an “evil genius.”

The genius is his mind for game-planning offense and maximizing the talent on hand. The evil part is his personality.

Kirby Clarke, TexAgs

Petrino most recently crossed paths with Texas A&M at the 2015 Music City Bowl, and led by Lamar Jackson, his Louisville offense racked up 534 yards vs. the Aggies.

Petrino is as cuddly as a cactus and has the disposition of a copperhead. He doesn’t like recruiting. Spending time with prospects and their parents was a laborious part of the head coaching profession to him.

But the guy can coach. He can take decent players and create an explosive offense.

In 13 seasons at Arkansas and Louisville, nine of Petrino’s teams ranked among the nation’s top 17 in scoring. Ten of his teams averaged at least 31.2 points per game.

Imagine what Petrino could potentially do with emerging quarterback Conner Weigman, a receiving corps that may include Ainias Smith, Evan Stewart and Moose Muhammad, big-play running back prospect Rueben Owens‍ and a more experienced, healthier offensive line.

Last year, A&M averaged 22.8 points per game. With Petrino’s influence, the Aggies will score more. Maybe much more.

If that happens, the Aggies could/should be legitimate SEC championship contenders in 2023.

Petrino isn’t the politically correct hire. A&M’s rivals just hope he’s not the right hire.