We needed a DC Elko didn't have to carry. OC was okay but now we get an opportunity to improve both.

Yep. A&M coaches just got raises and big incentives added into their contracts, playoffs etc. Kentucky cannot match that. A&M is building a team that every year will be or near a playoff team. Kentucky has a ways to go. You just don't make that switch. He was let go in my opinion.

Hemphill was at Duke with Elko.
Was DC for James Madison this year - top 10 defense in FBS in multiple categories.

If Elko grabbed him this quick - it was planned and intentional and he got exactly who he wanted.

No worry about this at all.

CC00 said:

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Hemphill was at Duke with Elko.
Was DC for James Madison this year - top 10 defense in FBS in multiple categories.

If Elko grabbed him this quick - it was planned and intentional and he got exactly who he wanted.

No worry about this at all.

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You mean playoff bound James Madison??

Yes but i had my timeline incorrect - he was at JM last year (2024) - so not necessarily getting credit for 2025 JM defense - lol


ETA - they were a top 25 defense in 2024 under Hemphill

Elko in an interview says he plans for this. This is a huge part of coaching.

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

Tex117 said:

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Elko in an interview says he plans for this. This is a huge part of coaching.

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Coaching at any level is a fluid career. I coached for a few years after graduation. Told my wife not to unpack the moving boxes. We moved twice in a 3 yr period. Difficult if you have children. Albeit the difference between HS and college pay scales ease some of the pain.

Bill Superman said:

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So is he coaching through the playoffs also?

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BTW, it is confirmed Bateman will coach through the playoffs if anyone was wondering.

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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Cen-Tex said:

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Tex117 said:

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Elko in an interview says he plans for this. This is a huge part of coaching.

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Coaching at any level is a fluid career. I coached for a few years after graduation. Told my wife not to unpack the moving boxes. We moved twice in a 3 yr period. Difficult if you have children. Albeit the difference between HS and college pay scales ease some of the pain.

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Can definitely attest to the having kids part. I stayed coaching n my early 30s at the HS level but we had little little kids (less than a year) so I had to stop.

All but fired him after last season. Incredible recruiter, not a great play caller. I have to assume that his recruiting acumen and his relationship with Elko is why Elko went 'hands on' with the defense rather than replacing him. If I remember correctly, he tried to leave for another DC job and ended up staying on staff here. Obviously a recruiting loss on paper, but losing him to UK makes it obvious that retaining him wasn't that high a priority.

AustinCountyAg said:

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Timberwolf said:

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The timing certainly sucks!

Can we ever have continuity??! Damn

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come with the territory of being good. Somehow Saban managed to survive losing coaches every year.

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Also by keeping Kirby for a long time.

EDIT - To clarify, not that I think we should have kept Bateman, but I think keeping the ones you want to helps.

CoachLB said:

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A&M is building a team that every year will be or near a playoff team.

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From your keyboard to the football gods ears.

All I do is Nguyen said:

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Cen-Tex said:

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Tex117 said:

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Elko in an interview says he plans for this. This is a huge part of coaching.

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Coaching at any level is a fluid career. I coached for a few years after graduation. Told my wife not to unpack the moving boxes. We moved twice in a 3 yr period. Difficult if you have children. Albeit the difference between HS and college pay scales ease some of the pain.

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Can definitely attest to the having kids part. I stayed coaching n my early 30s at the HS level but we had little little kids (less than a year) so I had to stop.

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Speaking of HS coaching, are the tres amigos crowd on here? I'd assume so. I've enjoyed their breakdowns.

Well, bye.

Sean98 said:

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8e8Ag said:

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ESPN is reporting that Lyle Hemphill, associate head coach for defense is next DC for us.

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I did not even know that Lyle Hemphill was an A&M employee until about 2 minutes ago. I don't think I've ever heard his name until today.

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You'd think we'd hire someone elite so Elko doesn't have to call plays.