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Kentucky hires Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator under Will Stein

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 21, 2026, 2:52 PM

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

Kentucky hires Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator under Will Stein

Summary

Kentucky head coach Will Stein announced the hiring of Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator during the 2026 SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida. Bateman previously served in the same role at Texas A&M, where his defense ranked second in the SEC for total sacks. The Wildcats, with a current record of 38-30 since 2020, aim to improve under Stein's leadership amid a challenging schedule. Bateman's track record includes key development of players during his tenure with the Aggies, who achieved an 11-0 start last season. Kentucky's first matchup against Texas A&M is on September 19.

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Key Details

•Will Stein introduced Jay Bateman at the 2026 SEC Media Days.
•Bateman previously led a strong Texas A&M defense with multiple top rankings.
•Kentucky aims to improve on a 38-30 record since 2020.
•The Wildcats face Texas A&M on September 19 in College Station.

Latest Updates

2:52 PMYahoo Sports — 'Jay embodied who I am as a coach': Kentucky HC speaks on A&M DC hire

What they're saying

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Kentucky head coach Will Stein spoke on the hire of former Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman at the 2026 SEC Media Days on Monday.
— Yahoo Sports

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