Bobby Petrino on Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M and calling plays: ‘It’s a collective effort’

Bobby Petrino on Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M and calling plays: ‘It’s a collective effort’

Jimbo Fisher was coy at SEC media days about who would call offensive plays for the Texas A&M Aggies this season.

Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, the former Arkansas head coach, shed some light on the situation Sunday when he met with reporters.

“It is a collective effort,” he said. “I’ve been calling the plays in practice, and I will do that. A lot of times, the calls are made throughout the week.”

Petrino, who said he has enjoyed his time in College Station so far, re-iterated, however, Texas A&M is Fisher’s to run how he sees fit.

“I work for coach Fisher,” Petrino said. “This is his program. I am very, very impressed, and that’s part of one of the reasons I came here, because of my knowledge of how he runs a program. It’s my job to make sure I’m working hard every day. It has been fun, though, I can tell you that. It’s been enjoyable because he has such a great offensive mind.”

Petrino added, as a coordinator, he has the option of coaching from the sideline or the press box. He has yet to decide.

“I haven’t made the complete decision yet, but I’m leaning toward the press box,” Petrino said. “I think the ability to be up there, see things and call the game. … When I was the coordinator before, I was mostly up in the press box.”

Petrino’s last coordinator gig was when he was calling plays for Auburn in 2002. Since then, he has had coaching stops Louisville, Atlanta Falcons, Arkansas, Western Kentucky, Louisville and Missouri State.