Texas A&M continues to reshape its coaching staff under Mike Elko, and the latest move fills another key vacancy on the defensive side of the ball. With Jay Bateman departing the program, the Aggies didn’t waste time naming Lyle Hemphill-already serving as Assistant Head Coach-as the new Defensive Coordinator. Now, it looks like they’ve zeroed in on a replacement for Bateman’s other role: linebackers coach.
According to reports, Texas A&M is set to hire former Arkansas Defensive Coordinator Travis Williams to take over that spot. Williams brings a wealth of experience to the table, having spent the last three seasons running the defense in Fayetteville and two years before that as the defensive coordinator at UCF.
While Arkansas’ overall defensive numbers during his tenure might not jump off the stat sheet, that doesn’t tell the whole story. In the coaching world, especially in college football, there’s a long list of examples where a coach may not have thrived in a coordinator role but still brings serious value as a position coach and recruiter.
And Williams fits that mold well. He’s known for his energy, his ability to connect with players, and his recruiting chops-traits that are especially valuable in the SEC grind.
It’s a move that mirrors the trajectory of Jay Bateman himself. Bateman didn’t always have elite defensive results as a coordinator, but he was widely respected as a position coach and recruiter-two areas where Williams could make an immediate impact in College Station.
This hire also helps solidify a staff that’s undergone significant changes in recent weeks. On the offensive side, A&M announced that Holmon Wiggins, previously the wide receivers coach, will be promoted to Offensive Coordinator following Collin Klein’s departure. That leaves just one major staff position currently unfilled: quarterbacks coach.
With the coordinator roles now locked in and Williams stepping in to guide the linebacker room, the Aggies are closing in on a complete staff as they prepare for a pivotal 2026 season. And if Williams can bring the same energy and recruiting firepower he’s shown in past stops, he could prove to be a sneaky-good addition to a staff that’s clearly aiming to reload, not rebuild.