Texas A&M is heading into the 2025 season with a coaching staff in transition - and it’s not just a reshuffling of titles. After the College Football Playoff, both offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will be moving on. Klein is returning to Kansas State, this time as the head coach, while Bateman is making the jump to Kentucky to take over as defensive coordinator and play-caller.
For head coach Mike Elko, this isn’t unfamiliar territory. Staff turnover is part of the job, especially when you’re building a program with national expectations.
But this offseason feels particularly pivotal. Elko has already started retooling his staff, bringing in former Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams to coach linebackers - a move that adds SEC experience and a high-energy recruiter to the mix.
He’s also set to hire Derek Shay as the new tight ends coach, replacing Christian Ellsworth, who’s following Klein to Manhattan.
But while those changes were expected and manageable, there’s one name looming that could have a much bigger impact: Jordan Peterson.
Peterson, the Aggies’ co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, is reportedly a top candidate to join Klein at Kansas State as defensive coordinator starting in 2026. And if that move happens, it’s more than just another coach leaving town - it’s a gut punch to one of A&M’s strongest assets: recruiting, particularly in the secondary.
Peterson has been a cornerstone of the Aggies' recruiting success on the defensive side of the ball. His work with the cornerbacks has helped Texas A&M consistently bring in top-tier talent and develop them into SEC-ready contributors. Losing him wouldn’t just mean replacing a coach - it would mean replacing a recruiter, a developer, and a key voice in the defensive room.
Right now, nothing is finalized. But according to reports, Peterson is the frontrunner for the job. That puts added pressure on Elko and newly appointed defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, who will be tasked with not only installing his own system but potentially filling another major hole on his staff if Peterson does leave.
For Texas A&M, the challenge is clear: maintain continuity and momentum in a program that’s aiming to stay in the national conversation. The pieces are still moving, but how they fall into place over the next few weeks will go a long way in shaping the Aggies’ identity heading into 2025 and beyond.