Will Stein and the Kentucky Wildcats have found their new defensive coordinator.
On Thursday, CBS Sports broke the news that Kentucky was hiring Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to the same position.
Bateman, who’s been with the Aggies for the past two seasons, has coached a unit that ranks No. 19 in total defense and helped his team earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. SP+ had Bateman’s defense ranked No. 19 this season and No. 20 in 2024.
The 52-year-old Bateman did not call defensive
plays this season but did so in 2024, so he’s getting a chance to do that again in Lexington. He previously had defensive coordinator stints at Siena, Elon, Army, Ball State, and North Carolina.
Bateman is regarded as a strong recruiter, something that Will Stein has prioritized with his first staff. Bateman will replace Brad White, who is now the defensive coordinator at Florida.
