Following the announcement that Aggie RB coach Tommie Robinson’s contract would not be renewed this offseason, it was reported today by Billy Liucci of Texags that the new man at the position for Texas A&M football would be Marquel Blackwell of Ole Miss.
Breaking from College Station: Jimbo Fisher tabs former Ole Miss assistant Marquel Blackwell to round out his offensive staff.
— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) February 13, 2023
Blackwell oversaw a rushing attack at Ole Miss this past year that featured the first and sixth-ranked running backs by yardage in the conference in Quinshon Judkins and Zach Evans, respectively. These two contributed heavily to what was, unsurprisingly, the top rushing attack overall in the SEC, and fourth overall in the nation. That’s no small feat, given they shared a conference with the physically imposing Georgia Bulldogs—no strangers themselves to enforcing their will through the ground game.
Texas A&M just hired away the RBs coach from the #3 rushing offense in 2022.
— AggiesToday (AT) (@AggiesToday) February 13, 2023
Texas A&M football fans will doubtless remember the 390+ yards that the Rebels gained on the ground under Blackwell’s purview this past season. A painful memory, to be sure, but instructive with regard to how good Blackwell is as a coach. Of course, in this era of the transfer portal, another angle to this is the existing relationships Blackwell brings to the table—Ole Miss, after all, saw almost as many transfers out of their program this offseason (and even more in terms of contributors and young talent) as the Texas A&M football program did. It’s not out of the question to think that trend could continue next year (or even later this offseason) with the Aggies benefitting.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, for all his snide remarks at press conferences and apparent vendetta towards the Aggie head man, continues to lack the ability to hold onto his staff—particularly with an eye towards College Station, as this makes two assistants in the last two years that A&M has stolen from Oxford. Blackwell’s knowledge of X’s and O’s as well as his recruiting prowess continue to bolster what is shaping up to be a formidable offensive assistant room under new OC Bobby Petrino. The Aggies need it, too—an offensive turnaround in 2023 is needed after what we saw last year. Blackwell will doubtless be an asset in those efforts in the upcoming year.