Mike Elko continues to fill out his staff, and the new Texas A&M coach has found a defensive coordinator.

Billy Liucci of TexAgs reported that the Aggies have hired Florida assistant Jay Bateman. A 25-year coaching veteran, Bateman arrived in Gainesville after he spent 3 seasons as North Carolina’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach (2019-21).

Bateman, 50, spent the last 2 seasons on staff with Billy Napier in Gainsville, as he led the Gators’ linebacking unit that saw 2 players drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft in third-rounder Ventrell Miller and sixth-rounder Amari Burney.

Bateman previously coached at Army, Ball State, Elon, Lehigh, Richmond and Sienna College.

Elko and his new defensive coordinator’s paths crossed back at Richmond in 2004 when the Aggies’ former was coaching linebackers for the Spiders under his mentor Dave Clawson, Liucci pointed out. During that time, Bateman was coaching Richmond’s secondary.

The 2004 Spiders forced 14 turnovers in 11 games, five via fumble and nine via interception.