Will Stein is swiftly assembling his inaugural coaching staff as the new head coach at Kentucky, with a key focus on finalizing the hiring of the Wildcats’ new defensive coordinator. Reports indicate that Kentucky is poised to bring in Jay Bateman, who has recently served as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M.
Bateman boasts an impressive track record, having risen through defensive coaching ranks for over twenty years, including significant roles in the SEC. He spent the past two seasons contributing to Texas A&M’s defense under head coach Mike Elko. His tenure has been marked by high-performing defensive units, with his teams allowing an average of just 22.1 points and 338.6 yards per game last year, and 21.9 points and 309.8 yards per game this season. His defensive unit has also excelled in national rankings, leading the country in third down conversion rate and ranking highly in sacks, tackles for loss, and passing yards allowed. This stellar performance facilitated A&M’s exceptional 11-1 record this season, marking a historic milestone as they made their inaugural appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Bateman’s coaching experience spans a variety of prestigious roles, including two seasons at Florida as inside linebackers coach and three years as safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator at North Carolina. His background also includes being a defensive coordinator at Army and Ball State, along with tenures at smaller programs like Elon and Lehigh. His diverse experiences were capped with four years at Siena, where he not only served as defensive coordinator but also spent three years as head coach.
Since his appointment on December 1, Stein, formerly the offensive coordinator at Oregon, has been proactive in shaping his coaching staff. He has already secured the hiring of offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and is making progress in recruiting and assembling a strong front office. Additionally, some members of the prior coaching staff under Mark Stoops, such as Anwar Stewart and Mike Hartline, are expected to remain in their roles, contributing to a seamless transition.
As Kentucky’s new coaching team comes together, fans can look forward to an exciting era under Stein. With Bateman’s successful track record and Stein’s swift action in recruiting talent, the future appears promising for the Wildcats. Meanwhile, Texas A&M will need to fill the void left by Bateman as they continue their playoff quest, setting the stage for potential changes in the Aggies’ coaching dynamic.