Changes coming to Texas A&M football as defensive coordinator leaves for Kentucky

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Within a week of each other, Texas A&M is losing both its offensive and now defensive coordinators.

Jay Bateman, the defensive coordinator under Mike Elko the past two years, is leaving for the same position at Kentucky.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Lyle Hemphill, the Aggies’ associate head coach on defense, has been elevated as Texas A&M’s new defensive coordinator. The Texas A&M football program later confirmed the promotion to KBTX and said the move was what was best for all three parties.

Hemphill joined Mike Elko’s staff as associate head coach for defense in June 2025, marking his second stint under Elko after previously working with him at Duke. Hemphill spent the 2024 season as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at James Madison.

With Collin Klein leaving to be the head coach at Kansas State, Elko alluded to the timetable for announcing his replacement as after the team’s playoff run.

“I think we’re in a pretty good place with it,” Elko said. “I think our intentions right now are to try to get through the season and let that thing play out. But I think, yeah, we’re in a really good place with knowing which direction we want to go with that.”