COLLEGE STATION, TX — Texas A&M's Head Football Coach, Mike Elko, has officially announced the appointment of Jay Bateman as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. With an impressive 25-year coaching career, Bateman joins the Aggies after two seasons at Florida as the Inside Linebackers Coach and three seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at North Carolina.
Texas A&M ranked 9th in the SEC in 2023 in total defense. The Aggies accumulated 787 tackles, 42 sacks, nine interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. A&M ranked 20th in the country in yards allowed per game with 316.2. While the Aggies' defense performed well throughout the season, A&M hopes Bateman can bring the Aggies to the next level. Mike Elko continues to piece together his staff for 2024.
In his first year at Florida, Bateman's defensive unit led the SEC, contributing to 22 takeaways during the 2022 season. Notably, two of his players, Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney, were drafted into the NFL, with Miller selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round and Burney by the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round.
Bateman's coaching expertise was evident during his three-year tenure as North Carolina's Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach from 2019 to 2021. Under his guidance, the Tar Heel defense improved significantly, ranking among the top five most improved units in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing defense. The team's aggressive style resulted in 36.0 sacks in 2020, the fifth-highest in the nation and the most for a North Carolina defense since 2000. Notably, two players developed under Bateman's guidance, Chazz Surrat and Jason Strowbridge, were drafted into the NFL.
Before his time at North Carolina, Bateman served as Army's Defensive Coordinator from 2014 to 2018, achieving notable success with three bowl game wins and two top-10 finishes in total defense. His outstanding contributions earned him recognition as a finalist for the 2018 Broyles Award and a semifinalist in 2016.
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(Credit: twitter.com/aggiefootball)
In 2018, Bateman led Army's defense to finish eighth nationally in total defense (295.5 ypg) and 10th in scoring defense (17.7 ppg). The Black Knights excelled in red zone defense, finishing third nationally, and demonstrated strength in passing defense in 2017. In 2016, the defense ranked fourth nationally in total defense, sixth in passing defense, and 18th in rushing defense.
Before his time at Army, Bateman served as the Defensive Coordinator at Ball State (2011-2013) and Elon (2006-2010). He also gained head coaching experience at Siena College from 2000 to 2003 after spending one season as an assistant coach.
Bateman, a 1995 graduate of Randolph-Macon, commenced his coaching career in 1997, spending two years on the Hampden-Sydney coaching staff.
Bateman is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He and his wife Heather have two children, Bea and CJ
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