Texas A&M Football Coaching Staff

Mike Elko

Elko has been the head coach at Duke the past two seasons, guiding the Blue Devils to back-to-back bowl games. He was named the 2022 ACC Coach of the Year as the Blue Devils finished 9-4 complete with a bowl victory over UCF in the Military Bowl. The 2023 season saw the Blue Devils get off to a 4-0 start before injuries took their toll and Duke finished the regular season 7-5.

Elko is no stranger to Aggieland having served as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2018-21, helping Texas A&M finish with four straight bowl trips and an overall record of 34-14 (.708).

The Aggies finished 9-1 in 2020 with an Orange Bowl victory and Elko was a semifinalist for the Frank Broyles Award, the nation’s top assistant coach, in 2021. Texas A&M registered a final No. 3 ranking in scoring defense, allowing under 16 points per game, along with the No. 9 pass efficiency defense and No. 7 red zone defense in the country. The Aggie defense ended the season seventh in the country allowing only 4.66 yards per play and was No. 12 in the country in total sacks.

Prior to his time at Texas A&M, Elko was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame in 2017. Elko was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award as the Fighting Irish finished 10-3 with a win over LSU in the Citrus Bowl.

Lyle Hemphill

Coordinator
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THE HEMPHILL FILE PERSONAL Hometown: Wilmington, DelawareEducation: Ursinus, 2002; Delaware, 2005Wife: ChristenChildren: Izabella, Lyla, Georgia, OliviaCOACHING RESUME 2002-03: Delaware Valley (Defensive Backs/Secondary)2004-05: Delaware (Graduate Assistant/Secondary)2006-09: Hofstra (Defensive Backs/Special Teams)2010: Delaware (Cornerbacks)2011-12: Stony Brook (Safeties)2013-16: Stony Brook (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)2017-18: Wake Forest (Safeties)2019-21: Wake Forest (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)2022: Duke (Safeties)2023: Duke (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)2024: James Madison (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties)2025: Texas A&M (Associate Head Coach for Defense)2026-: Texas A&M (Defensive Coordinator)POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE2004: Delaware (FCS Playoffs - First Round)2010: Delaware (FCS Playoffs - Final)2011: Stony Brook (FCS Playoffs - Second Round)2012: Stony Brook (FCS Playoffs - Second Round)2017: Wake Forest (Belk)2018: Wake Forest (Birmingham)2019: Wake Forest (New Era Pinstripe)2020: Wake Forest (Duke's Mayo)2021: Wake Forest (TaxSlayer Gator)2022: Duke (Military)2023: Duke (Birmingham)2024: James Madison (Boca Raton)2025: Texas A&M (CFP)
Lyle Hemphill joined the Aggies gridiron program in January 2025, and serves as the defensive coordinator after being elevated from his position of associate head coach for defense in December 2025.

Hemphill and Elko share deep ties dating back to their time at Hofstra from 2006-08, when Hemphill coached the defensive backs and special teams in Elko's defense. The two later reunited at Duke University, where Hemphill served as safeties coach in 2022 before being elevated by Elko to co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2023.

The Wilmington, Delaware, native joined the Aggies staff in June as the associate head coach for the defense after spending one year (2024) at James Madison University as its defensive coordinator and safeties coach. A coaching veteran with more than 20 years of experience, including nine seasons as a defensive coordinator, Hemphill has helped the Aggies rank in the top-25 in total defense (309.8), third down conversion percentage defense (22.7%), fourth down conversion percentage defense (41.2%), and passing yards allowed (182.8).

In his lone season at James Madison, Hemphill's defense led the nation in turnover margin (+1.54). The Dukes also finished fifth in defensive touchdowns (4), sixth in fumbles recovered (12) and sacks per game (3.15), seventh in interceptions (17) and passing efficiency defense (111.48), 12th in third-down defense (32.3%), 18th in tackles for loss per game (7.1), and 21st in scoring defense (20.5).

During his two seasons at Duke (2022–23), Hemphill helped guide the Blue Devils to a 17–9 record, including an 11–2 mark at home and back-to-back bowl victories. As co-defensive coordinator in 2023, Duke ranked 10th nationally in red-zone defense (74.4%) and 16th in scoring defense (19.0). In 2022, Hemphill coached safeties Darius Joiner and Brandon Johnson to All-ACC honors as Duke led the country in fumbles recovered (16) and ranked second in turnover margin (+1.23), ninth in turnovers gained (26), and 23rd in sacks (2.8).

Holmon Wiggins

Holmon Wiggins joined the Aggies gridiron program in January 2024, and serves as the offensive coordinator after being elevated from his position of co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in December 2025.

Wiggins brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to the role, including the past two seasons (2024-25) as Texas A&M's co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Prior to his time in College Station, he spent five seasons (2019-23) on staff at the University of Alabama under College Football Hall of Fame head coach Nick Saban, serving the final three years as assistant head coach of the offense.

In his second season with the Aggies, Wiggins has helped guide one of the nation's most explosive offenses as Texas A&M's receiving corps is averaging 14.1 yards per catch to rank 11th nationally. He played a key role in the acquisition of KC Concepcion and Mario Craver via the transfer portal, coaching both to All-SEC honors in their first season with the program. The duo is one of six receiver tandems nationally with 800-plus receiving yards apiece and one of only three pairs averaging more than 15.0 yards per catch (minimum 50 receptions each). Together, they are averaging 148.8 receiving yards per game in 2025.

Concepcion, the 2025 Paul Hornung Award recipient for college football's most versatile player, leads the Aggies with 57 receptions for 886 yards and an SEC-best nine receiving touchdowns. Craver follows with 52 receptions for 825 yards and four scores. Wiggins has also overseen the development of redshirt freshman Ashton Bethel-Roman, who ranks third on the team with 459 receiving yards on 20 catches (team-best 23.0 average) and five touchdowns.

During his first season in Aggieland, Wiggins helped Texas A&M improve from 47th nationally in red zone offense to 17th (.906). The Aggies also saw gains in third-down conversion percentage under his guidance.

Wiggins joined Elko's staff in 2024 following his tenure at Alabama, where he served as wide receivers coach from 2019-20 before being elevated to assistant head coach of offense and wide receivers coach from 2021-23. While in Tuscaloosa, he coached Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award winner DeVonta Smith during his historic 2020 campaign. Wiggins also helped develop five first-round NFL Draft selections in Jaylen Waddle (No. 6 overall), Smith (No. 10), Henry Ruggs III (No. 12), Jameson Williams (No. 12) and Jerry Jeudy (No. 15).

Elijah Robinson

Elijah Robinson rejoined the Aggies gridiron program in December 2025, and serves as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

Robinson returns to Aggieland following a two-year stint (2024-25) at Syracuse University, where he served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Prior to his time with the Orange, Robinson spent six seasons (2018-23) with the Maroon & White, including four years (2018-21) under then-defensive coordinator Elko. He also served as Texas A&M’s interim head coach for the final three games of the 2023 season.

During his tenure at Syracuse, Robinson helped guide the Orange to 13 victories, highlighted by a top-20 finish in the Associated Press poll following the 2024 season. Under his direction, four Syracuse players earned All-ACC honors, including defensive end Fadil Diggs and linebacker Justin Barron. Defensive tackle Maraad Watson was also named a 247Sports.com Freshman All-American in 2024.

Robinson’s defenses showed marked improvement over his two seasons in New York. Syracuse improved from 86th nationally in third-down conversion defense in his first year to 60th in year two (+26). The Orange also jumped from 117th to 49th nationally in fourth-down conversion defense (+68) during that span.

Robinson joined the Syracuse staff after a six-year run at Texas A&M, where he served in multiple roles. He began as the Aggies’ defensive line coach for four seasons (2018-21) before being elevated to assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and defensive line coach for his final two years (2022-23).

During Robinson’s six seasons in College Station, the Aggies ranked inside the top 20 nationally in rushing defense three times (2018, 2020, 2023), including top-five finishes in 2018 (third) and 2020 (second). Texas A&M also finished inside the top 15 nationally in total defense in three of his final four seasons.

Trooper Taylor

Taylor was on staff at Duke for five years, serving in the same role in each of Elko's two seasons with the Blue Devils.

Taylor has over 30 years of coaching experience, including being on staff at Auburn for its 2010 BCS National Championship run, in which the Tigers went a perfect 14-0. In total, he's coached in 16 bowl games during a career that also includes stints at Baylor, New Mexico, Tulane, Tennessee, Oklahoma State and Arkansas State. He has also been named one of the nation's top-25 recruiters by Rivals.com on three occasions (2005, 2007 and 2010).

Taylor joined the Duke staff as an assistant coach in January 2019 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2020. He worked with the wide receivers in his first two seasons and spent the 2021 season overseeing the cornerbacks before Coach Elko tabbed him as the running backs coach in 2022. Taylor closed out his time at Duke leading the Blue Devils to victory in the Birmingham Bowl as the interim head coach.

Taylor came to Durham after spending six seasons at Arkansas State (2013-18), where he helped the Red Wolves to 47 wins, six bowl game appearances and a pair of Sun Belt Conference championships in 2015 and 2016. Over his last three campaigns in Jonesboro, he served as the program's assistant head coach. During his tenure, Taylor coached 11 All-Sun Belt selections including his son, Blaise, who was a four-time all-conference honoree as well as National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete accolades. In addition, Taylor helped Arkansas State secure five consecutive signing classes that were ranked among the top three in the Sun Belt Conference by at least two of the major recruiting services.

Travis Williams

Travis Williams joined the Aggies gridiron program in January 2026, and serves as the associate head coach of defense and linebackers coach.

Williams brings more than 15 years of coaching experience, including six seasons as a defensive coordinator and two as a co-defensive coordinator. He joins Texas A&M following a three-year stint (2023-25) as defensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas, where he helped engineer some of the Razorbacks’ strongest defensive performances in more than a decade.

In 2024, Arkansas ranked 34th nationally in rushing defense (129.2) and 37th in third-down conversion defense (.359). The Razorbacks recorded their first shutout since 2018 with a season-opening win over Arkansas–Pine Bluff and held fourth-ranked Tennessee to a season-low 14 points in a 19-14 victory. Arkansas also posted five first-half shutouts and produced five defensive touchdowns during the season.

In his first year in Fayetteville, Williams’ defense finished 46th nationally, allowing just 357.2 yards per game, the program’s lowest mark since 2014. The unit improved by nearly a full yard per play from the previous season and ranked 32nd nationally in passing defense (202.8). Arkansas also finished 36th nationally with 12 interceptions, including four returned for touchdowns to tie for the most in the FBS.

During his three seasons with the Razorbacks, Williams mentored linebacker Landon Jackson (2024) and defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. (2025) to All-SEC honors. Jackson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Ishmael Aristide

Aristide was on Elko's staff as the cornerbacks coach at Duke for two seasons after stops at Miami, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Auburn.

In 2022, Aristide helped Duke rank first nationally in fumbles recovered (16), second in turnover margin (+1.23), ninth in turnovers gained (26) and 23rd in sacks (2.8/g). In addition, the Blue Devils' defensive back unit compiled 59 pass breakups to rank fourth in the ACC and was one of two schools in the league to have five players with six-plus breakups on the year.

He made the move to Durham, after one year at Miami, coaching the strikers and outside linebackers. The Hurricanes finished the 2021 season with a 7-5 mark and an invitation to the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.

Prior to his time in Coral Gables, Aristide spent two years with Elko at Texas A&M, working as a senior defensive analyst and secondary assistant during his first stint in Aggieland. He helped the Aggies boast a cumulative 17-6 record, including victories in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl and Capital One Orange Bowl. Aristide worked with a defense that ranked No. 9 in FBS in total defense (317.3 yards per game) in 2020, leading the SEC in that category and ranking No. 4 among Power 5 schools. The Aggies ended that season ranked No. 2 in the country in rushing defense, allowing just 92 yards per game.

Adam Cushing

Cushing came to Aggieland after two seasons in the same role on Elko’s staff at Duke.

Cushing made an immediate impact in his first season in Durham as the offensive line helped set a Duke program record with 31 rushing touchdowns, while finishing with 2,394 rushing yards. Duke concluded the 2022 season second in the ACC in rushing scores, third in rushing offense (184.2 ypg) and yards per rush (4.9) and fourth in rushing yards.

In 2023, the Blue Devils ranked second in fourth-down conversion percentage (.632) and 27th in the nation, while ranking fourth in rushing touchdowns (25) and yards per rush (4.9) in the ACC.

During his time in Durham, Cushing mentored offensive tackle Graham Barton to All-America accolades in 2023, as well as All-ACC honors in the previous two seasons. He also coached center Jacob Monk to All-ACC recognition in 2022, following a season where the pair anchored an offensive line unit that ranked first in the ACC in sacks allowed (17) and tackles for loss allowed (51).

Cushing served a three-year stint as the head coach at Eastern Illinois from 2019-21. While with the Panthers, Cushing mentored 13 players to 16 All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, including three-time selection Jason Johnson. He also coached three All-Americans in Johnson, Chad Strickland, and JJ Ross.

Patrick Dougherty

Dougherty came to Aggieland after serving as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for Elko at Duke for the previous two seasons.

During his time in Durham, Dougherty coached one of the nation's top punters in Porter Wilson who finished as a Ray Guy Award semifinalist and Phil Steel All-American in 2023, as well as a two-time All-ACC honoree. In 2023, Wilson ranked ninth in the nation averaging 46.3 yards per punt, while the unit ranked second in the nation in net punting average (43.5). Duke allowed 54 punt return yards which was the seventh-fewest yards relinquished in the country with at least 55 punts.

In 2022, Duke ranked first nationally in punt return average (19.9) and 21st in kickoff return defense (17.2). The Blue Devils saw two special teams members earn All-ACC recognition, while Jaylen Stinson tied for second in the league in kickoff return yards (380) and third in kickoff returns (15).

Prior to his time at Duke, Dougherty had an eight-year stint at Ball State from 2014-21. Dougherty was elevated to assistant head coach for the last two seasons, while maintaining special teams coordinator and tight ends coaching duties. During his first year as the assistant head coach, he helped the Cardinals to their first MAC Championship since 1996 after they finished 2020 with a 7-1 overall mark and a final ranking of No. 23 in the AP and Coaches Polls. Through his time at Ball State, he coached six players to 10 All-Mid-American Conference honors.

Bryant Gross-Armiento

Bryant Gross-Armiento was named nickels coach prior to the 2025 season, after serving as a senior defensive analyst in 2024 on Mike Elko’s staff. Gross-Armiento previously served as a secondary coach in 2023 and a defensive analyst in 2022 and 2021 at Texas A&M.

Gross-Armiento, better known as “BGA”, spent the 2020 season working with the secondary staff at Georgia after a three-year stint at Wake Forest, two seasons as a graduate assistant and one as a recruiting assistant.

He earned his degree from Wake Forest in May 2017 as a communication major with a minor in economics and sociology.

Gross-Armiento began his football playing career at Rutgers before transferring to Wake Forest in 2014. However, a series of injuries prevented him from getting on the field with the Deacons. Gross-Armiento was the No. 71-rated safety in the nation by ESPN.com in 20213 coming out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s American Heritage High School. He helped the Patriots to a 9-2 record as a senior and a berth in the Florida Class 5A playoffs.

Tony Jerod-Eddie

Jerod-Eddie was recently promoted from defensive analyst to on the field assistant football coach at Texas A&M.

Jerod-Eddie first came to Aggieland from DeSoto High School in the fall of 2008. He was an honorable mention All-State defensive lineman from both The Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writer's Association.
As a true freshman, he started seven games while playing in all 12 contests. In addition to his 20 tackles, which included 3.0 tackles for loss as well as his first quarterback sack against Miami, Jerod-Eddie blocked a kick against Texas Tech.

Jerod-Eddie saw action in all 13 games as a sophomore starting five games on the interior of the defensive line and helping the Aggies reach the Independence Bowl against Georgia. His top game came against Utah State when he recorded six stops including one for loss and picked up a half-sack. He also blocked an extra point against Oklahoma.

As a junior, he started and played in all 13 games while helping Texas A&M advance to the Cotton Bowl against LSU. Jerod-Eddie had 49 total tackles and blocked another kick, an extra point against Missouri. He notched a career-high eight tackles against Oklahoma in an upset win over the Sooners and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as he helped the Aggies to a share a Big 12 South Conference title.

His senior season of 2011 the Aggies won the Texas Bowl with Jerod-Eddie earning second-team All-Conference honors as selected by the league's coaches. He ended the season with 48 tackles to lead all Aggie defensive linemen and led the way with four quarterback sacks. A four-year Aggie letterman, he ended his career playing in 51 games and making 38 starts.

Joey Lynch

Joey Lynch joined the Aggies gridiron program in January 2024, and serves as the quarterbacks coach after being elevated from his position of senior offensive analyst in January 2026.

Lynch brings nearly 20 years of experience to the new role, including nine years as an offensive coordinator at the FBS level.

In his two seasons with the Aggies (2024-25), Lynch worked with the running backs, helping the unit produce back-to-back seasons with 2,400-plus yards and 25 rushing scores. It marked the first time since 2012-13 that Texas A&M achieved the feat in consecutive seasons. Under Lynch’s guidance, the rushing offense improved from 90th nationally prior to his arrival to 26th in 2024 (195.5) and 34th in 2025 (184.7).

Lynch helped develop Second Team All-SEC selection Le’Veon Moss, who concluded his career with 1,767 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, despite battling injuries his final two seasons. He also coached Rueben Owens II and Amari Daniels to 1,000-plus career rushing yards.

Prior to his time in Aggieland, Lynch spent three years at Vanderbilt University, serving as the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for one season (2021) before being promoted to the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach his final two years (2022-23).

John Perry

John Perry joined the Aggies gridiron program in January 2025, and serves as the wide receivers coach after being elevated from his position of assistant wide receivers coach in January 2026.

Texas A&M marks the second stop together for Perry and head coach Mike Elko as the two worked together at Hofstra University in 2006, serving as its offensive and defensive coordinator, respectively. Perry also spent five years as the head coach at Merrimack College during his near 30-year coaching career.

Perry takes over as the Aggies full-time wide receivers coach after spending last season serving as Texas A&M’s assistant wide receivers coach. In 2025, Perry helped guide one of the nation's most explosive offenses as the Aggies receiving corps averaged 13.6 yards per catch to rank 15th nationally. He mentored KC Concepcion and Mario Craver to All-SEC honors in their first season with the program. The duo was one of three receiver tandems nationally with 900-plus receiving yards apiece and one of only four pairs averaging more than 15.0 yards per catch (minimum 50 receptions each).

Concepcion, the 2025 Paul Hornung Award recipient for college football's most versatile player, led the Aggies with 61 receptions for 919 yards and an SEC-best nine receiving touchdowns. Craver followed with 59 receptions for 917 yards and four scores.

Derek Shay

Derek Shay joined the Aggies gridiron program in January 2026, and serves as the tight ends coach.

Shay came to Aggieland after a two-year stint (2024-25) at the University of Kentucky, serving as the Wildcats’ senior offensive analyst and run game specialist for one season (2024) before being promoted to the tight ends coach (2025).

During his lone season coaching the tight ends, Shay mentored Willie Rodriguez and Josh Kattus, who finished third and fourth on the team in receiving yards with 310 and 195, respectively. The duo combined for 40 receptions and three touchdowns.

In 2024, Shay worked closely with Kentucky’s offensive line, helping power an offense that rushed for 170 yards against No. 1 Georgia and totaled 336 yards of offense in a 20-point road win at No. 6 Ole Miss, including 243 passing yards. The Wildcats also posted a 211-yard passing performance at No. 3 Texas.

Shay arrived in Lexington after spending the 2023 season as tight ends coach at Marshall University, where he helped guide the Thundering Herd to a Frisco Bowl appearance.

Stan Watson

Tommy Moffitt

Moffitt comes to Aggieland with over 30 years of experience, including three national titles and multiple strength & conditioning coach of the year awards.

Regarded by many in college football as one of the nation’s premier strength & conditioning coaches, Moffitt spent 21 seasons on staff at LSU, most recently in the role of the assistant athletics director for strength & conditioning. During his time with the Tigers, he served under three head coaches winning national titles with Nick Saban (2003), Les Miles (2007) and Ed Orgeron (2019). Moffitt also spent time at Miami (1998-99) and Tennessee (1994-97).

Along with raising national titles, Moffitt has numerous strength & conditioning coach of the year awards in his trophy case. Most recently he was named the 2019 FootballScoop Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year and following an undefeated regular season in 2011 he was awarded the College Coach’s Choice Award by Strength Performance. He was also named the 2003 College Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year by America Football Monthly, 1999 Collegiate Football Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year by the Professional Football Strength & Conditioning Coaches Society and 1998 Big East Strength Coach of the Year.

Derek Miller

Miller previously served as the recruiting general manager under Elko for two seasons at Duke.

With the Blue Devils, Miller oversaw advance scouting and recruiting efforts for the football program, while administering camps and clinics. He was a student manager at Bowling Green when Elko was the defensive coordinator for the Falcons (2012-13).

Miller made the move to Duke after spending the 2021 season at East Carolina as the director of football player personnel and recruiting. While there, he coordinated prospect visits, on-campus evaluations, walk-on tryouts, creative media oversight and served as the scouting coordinator.

Prior to his time in Greenville, North Carolina, Miller was the director of football operations and player personnel at his alma mater, Bowling Green, before being elevated to the general manager. In 2020, he directed all non-coaching aspects of the program, which included budget management, recruiting, academic and APR monitoring, team travel, summer camps, community service, Pro Day and daily operations. From a recruiting standpoint, Miller led the identification, evaluation and acquisition process, along with organizing prospect visits and providing creative leadership to the team's social media and graphics efforts.