US EditionKentucky targets Texas A&M’s Jay Bateman to rebuild struggling Wildcat defense
Kentucky hires Jay Bateman to improve a defense that ranked 79th in points allowed and managed just 25 sacks in 2025, aiming to boost physicality and disruption.
- ESPN reported Thursday that Kentucky is hiring Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to fill the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator role in Lexington.
- Facing defensive inconsistency, Kentucky Wildcats football program hired Jay Bateman to improve a defense that struggled with stops and execution last season.
- Bateman arrives with a resume showing he helped Texas A&M Aggies football program produce 41 sacks and coached Cashius Howell, defensive end, to 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
- Bateman will remain with Texas A&M through the College Football Playoff before joining Kentucky, and Texas A&M plans to install Hemphill as its next defensive coordinator while Mike Elko reshapes his staff amid departures.
- For Kentucky fans, the hire represents a hoped-for identity shift toward tougher defense as Kentucky Wildcats football program aims to fix its inability to generate havoc in the SEC.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Kentucky hires Jay Bateman as new Defensive Coordinator
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Will Stein has made another move to his staff, this time making his first defensive hire by bringing in defensive coordinator Jay Bateman from Texas A&M. Bateman had served as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He is known as a strong recruiter and has solid ties to both Florida and Texas. Bateman was a linebacker at Randolph-Macon in Virginia from 1991–94 before becoming a high school …
REPORT: Kentucky football expected to hire Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator
The next piece of the coaching staff for Will Stein has fallen into place as Jay Bateman is expected to be the next defensive coordinator per Pete Nakos of On3. Kentucky football Head Coach Will Stein contract details revealed BREAKING: Four-star wide receiver Kenny Darby signs with Kentucky football COLUMN: Will Stein's self-confidence and gambler mindset proves he's perfect for Kentucky football Mitch Barnhart emphatically affirms Kentucky…
Lyle Hemphill to be next A&M DC following Jay Bateman departure
After losing offensive coordinator Collin Klein to Kansas State, No. 7 Texas A&M football is saying goodbye to its defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. First reported by On3’s Pete Nakos, Bateman is expected to be named Kentucky’s defensive coordinator as part of the Wildcats’ new coaching staff under new head coach, former Oregon OC Will Stein. Both Klein and Bateman are expected to remain in their positions for the entirety of the Aggies’ posts…
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