Texas A&M Aggies hit with unexpected news that adds more to a problem they will already have their hands full solving
The Texas A&M Aggies are losing their defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to the Kentucky Wildcats
The Texas A&M Aggies are already facing plenty of turnover heading into next season. Offensive coordinator Collin Klein is on his way out, returning to serve as head coach of his alma mater the Kansas State Wildcats. On top of that, several key players are also set to graduate and/or declare for the upcoming NFL Draft, giving the Aggies plenty of turnover on both sides of the ball.
However, it isn’t stopping there. On Thursday, it was announced that the Kentucky Wildcats are hiring Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to serve as their defensive coordinator. On top of their personnel departures, Elko and the Aggies will now lose both coordinators to jobs elsewhere that they will have to replace, as well as any potential staff departures either is able to bring with them.
Aggies already have their replacement
Fortunately, the Aggies have already found their replacement, and it’s an internal promotion. Lyle Hemphill, currently serving as the “associate head coach for defense”, will assume Bateman’s duties as defensive coordinator. It’s unclear if Hemphill will handle Bateman’s duties coaching linebackers or if the Aggies will hire a linebackers coach to replace him, but I am leaning to the latter, given Hemphill’s successful track record coaching in the secondary.
Hemphill is already plenty familiar with Elko from their time at Duke, where he was co-Defensive coordinator for Elko with the Blue Devils as well as safeties coach. In 2024, he served as James Madison’s defensive coordinator, leading one of college football’s best defenses, before re-uniting with Elko in College Station prior to the 2025 season.
Bateman’s departure isn’t a significant blow for A&M, as Mike Elko had already assumed playcalling duties (likely why Bateman saw an opportunity at Kentucky) for this season, but it is just more turnover on this A&M team heading into what is shaping up to be a wild offseason across the college football landscape.
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