Jay Bateman

Jay Bateman joined head coach Mike Elko’s staff as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in January 2024. A 25-year coaching veteran, Bateman arrived in Aggieland following two seasons at Florida as the inside linebackers coach and three seasons as the defensive coordinator at North Carolina.

During his first year at Florida, Bateman delivered two NFL Draft picks including Ventrell Miller, who was picked in the fourth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with Amari Burney who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round. Bateman’s unit contributed to a Florida defense that helped lead the SEC, producing 22 takeaways during the 2022 season.

Bateman made the move to Gainesville after spending three seasons as North Carolina’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2019-21). Upon his arrival, Bateman helped engineer major improvements for the Tar Heel defense which was one of the nation’s top-five most improved units in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense that year.