Report: Missouri State football coach Bobby Petrino emerges as candidate for Texas A&M OC position

Missouri State football head coach Bobby Petrino has emerged as a candidate for Texas A&M's vacant offensive coordinator position, according to a national report.

247Sports reporter Chris Hummer wrote, citing sources, that Petrino has "emerged as a candidate in Texas A&M's offensive coordinator search" and that "he's expected to interview with the Aggies in the coming days."

A source told the News-Leader that Petrino had been contacted by Texas A&M. Multiple sources, including inside and outside the program, have expressed optimism that Petrino will stay on the Missouri State sideline.

A Missouri State spokesperson told the News-Leader that Texas A&M isn't required to contact the university before engaging in talks with Petrino. A text message to Petrino was not immediately returned.

Texas A&M is in search of a new offensive coordinator after firing Darrell Dickey as the team's OC late in the 2022 season. The Aggies program is coming off a disappointing 5-7 season under fifth-year head coach Jimbo Fisher. They finished the year ranked 94th nationally in total offense and 102nd in scoring offense when the program had the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.

Missouri State is 18-15 under Petrino and is coming off a 5-6 season in 2022. The Bears qualified for their first two FCS postseasons since 1990 in his first two years as head coach.

Missouri State has been actively recruiting as it normally would in recent days with assistants spread out all over the country with early signing day set for Dec. 21.

Petrino hasn't been an offensive coordinator since 2002 when he was at Auburn although he has been the play-caller at every head coaching spot since which has included two stints with Louisville, Arkansas, Western Kentucky, the Atlanta Falcons and Missouri State. If Petrino were to move to Texas A&M, it would likely require Fisher to give up play-calling duties.

Entering what would be his fourth season as the Bears' head coach, Petrino has four years remaining on a contract that pays him $275,000 annually. If Petrino were to leave, Texas A&M would owe Missouri State the remaining money left on his contract.

A Texas A&M offensive coordinator spot could be attractive to Petrino over being a head coach at Missouri State. Petrino would have more resources in recruiting and better facilities. Texas A&M boosters have been among the top spenders in the Name, Image and Likeness landscape which would give the coach access to the top talent in the nation. The job would also come with a raise when Texas A&M's previous offensive coordinator made $850,000 annually.

Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bobby Petrino is candidate for Texas A&M offensive coordinator spot