Report: Kentucky hiring Texas A&M's Jay Bateman as DC

Field Level Media|published: Thu 11th December, 10:47 2025

Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats helmet on the sideline during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Kentucky is hiring Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to fill the same role in Lexington, ESPN reported Thursday.

Bateman, 52, directed the Aggies' defense for the past two seasons on Mike Elko's staff and previously held coordinator duties at North Carolina, Army, Ball State, Elon and Siena.

Per the report, Bateman will remain with No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) for the College Football Playoff. The Aggies have a first-round home game against No. 10 seed Miami (10-2) on Dec. 20 in College Station.

Bateman is one of the first hires for new Wildcats head coach Will Stein, who replaced Mark Stoops after spending the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Oregon.

Texas A&M will replace Bateman with associate head coach for defense Lyle Hemphill, according to the report. He has worked with Elko since their time at Duke from 2022-23.

Texas A&M ranks 19th in total defense and 41st in scoring defense this season.

Aggies offensive coordinator Collin Klein also left to become the head coach at Kansas State.

--Field Level Media