That wasn't on my bingo card.

Seems like a bad career decision on the surface.

Could we see Elijah Robinson come back to Aggieland?

doc99 said:

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Could we see Elijah Robinson come back to Aggieland?

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We've already got great DL coaches. I'd rather Santucci decides he can stomach the recruiting world enough to return back to college.

Per Live - Hemphill to replace

Interesting that this is a lateral move. BL just posted on Premium forum so maybe well get some scoop

A is A said:

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Per Live - Hemphill to replace

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Dont know who Hemphill is or where he is from

Unneeded turmoil prior to the biggest game in A&M history.

I think he was asked to leave.

Who goes from DC at A&M to DC at KENTUCKY?????

That is dumb. He isn't becoming a head coach which would make sense.

Wasn't Bateman told to look for another job after last season?

We're good, Elko is basically the DC. He'll find someone to run his defensive scheme.

Agree, and does he have a connection to Stein (does not compute)?

We are going to find out if a couple ex ex-UF coaches follow him (as he helped bring Spencer to A&M I think) and he's a decent recruiter in the SEC.

Unusual situation on a few levels w the long-term connection b/w Bateman and Elko.

Emilio Fantastico said:

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Wasn't Bateman told to look for another job after last season?

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I know TexAgs told him that

Bunk Moreland said:

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Timberwolf said:

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Interesting that this is a lateral move. BL just posted on Premium forum so maybe well get some scoop

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It's not. He got neutered here after last season. DC in name only.

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To add to this, the new HC at Kentucky is a former OC, so Bateman will have much more control over the defense there. That's a step up for him in establishing his own reputation.

Was this a fair 1 for 1 trade for the TE coach? Or did we get some draft picks out of this? Hell, who am I kidding, we probably had to give away a 2* and a candybar to finalize the trade.

Jason or Justine?

Alabama has lost coaches in the past and still was highly successful under Saban.
Saban was the leadership guru.

Coach Elko is our Leadership Guru.
He will re-buildout his staff for the 2026 season.

OC Klein will still be calling plays for the CFP playoffs. We are Good.
Head Coach Elko will be calling the defense. We are Good.

The zoo calls for his head the past two years then cries when he leaves. Can't make this stuff up.

Not a loss , an opportunity to improve staff I think.

RC Slocum lost both coordinators with Bob Davie going to be head coach at ND and Bob Toledo to be head coach at UCLA. Both coaches did well and we survived. It's Elkos defense not Batemans. Klein was never turning down K State and was here to get ready for the promotion.

Elko apparently will hire a DC that he has worked with a long time and we could actually see a step up in OC as well. With road games next year at Bama, LSU and OU along with Missouri and SC, we need continued improvement in this defense and probably some portal adds to fill in for guys going to the NFL.

Hemphill is a good up and comer, definitely an Elko guy. I expect a smooth transition that can be a big net positive.

This might be connected to Elko's decision to need to be more involved in the defense this year

https://www.on3.com/college/texas-am-aggies/news/report-texas-am-promoting-lyle-hemphill-as-jay-bateman-replacement-at-defensive-coordinator/

Sounds like Elko told him to go to me

Bill Superman said:

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The zoo calls for his head the past two years then cries when he leaves. Can't make this stuff up.

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I think only a very small minority are worried about him leaving. The majority seem to think it is a good thing.

Bill Superman said:

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The zoo calls for his head the past two years then cries when he leaves. Can't make this stuff up.

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I'm definitely not crying about it, but it would be nice if the rules were structured to encourage coaching retention until the end of the season. Having both the OC and DC at a minimum being distracted going into the playoffs is not ideal.

HarryJ33tamu said:

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https://www.on3.com/college/texas-am-aggies/news/report-texas-am-promoting-lyle-hemphill-as-jay-bateman-replacement-at-defensive-coordinator/

Sounds like Elko told him to go to me

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He tried to leave last offseason after being demoted. All good...they're all pros. That's why we brought Hemphill in anyway. Best of luck to Bateman.

Well, bye.

AgSportsFan89 said:

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Bill Superman said:

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The zoo calls for his head the past two years then cries when he leaves. Can't make this stuff up.

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I think only a very small minority are worried about him leaving. The majority seem to think it is a good thing.

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This. It's not like Bateman was calling the defense this year.

He was our DC in name only. In my opinion he was the worst hire Elko made.
My U.F. friends were happy to see him go at the time.

I think we go after the LB coach for Tech to fill out the staff vacancy after promoting Hemphill to DC. He has those two mustache goobers in Heisman talks after being converted QBs.

Maybe better looking staffers at Kentucky...