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Jay Bateman: Kentucky is moving to bring in Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to take over the same position in Lexington, according to sources with direct knowledge of the talks.
Bateman has guided Texas A&M’s defense for the past two seasons and is regarded as a steady presence on the sideline.
His hire would mark a key addition for new Kentucky head coach Will Stein as he continues building his inaugural staff.
Bateman is expected to stay with the Aggies through their College Football Playoff run. Texas A&M opens the postseason on December 20 against No. 10 seed Miami in the first round.
Texas A&M plans to elevate Lyle Hemphill to defensive coordinator, according to sources briefed on the decision.
Hemphill currently serves as the program’s associate head coach for defense. He has a long working history with head coach Mike Elko.
The pair spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons together at Duke, where Hemphill played a central role in shaping the Blue Devils’ defensive approach.
The promotion signals Texas A&M’s intent to maintain continuity on that side of the ball as the staff prepares for the seasons ahead.
Jay Bateman arrives with a wide-ranging defensive résumé built over more than a decade in college football.
He spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons coaching Florida’s inside linebackers, following earlier coordinator roles at North Carolina, Army, Ball State, and Elon.
Texas A&M’s defensive unit posted strong results during his tenure. The Aggies finished the season ranked 19th nationally in total defense and 41st in scoring defense.
Bateman also oversaw the emergence of defensive end Cashius Howell, who delivered 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
Howell’s production earned him first-team All-SEC recognition and cemented his status as one of the conference’s top pass rushers.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is preparing for significant changes to his top coaching staff as both coordinators from this season’s College Football Playoff team move on.
Offensive coordinator Collin Klein is departing to become the head coach at Kansas State.
Kentucky’s expected hiring of Jay Bateman was first reported by CBS, adding to the shift in personnel surrounding Elko’s program.
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