Mike Elko, Texas A&M hire James Madison DC Lyle Hemphill to defensive staff

Mike Elko and Texas A&M are expected to hire James Madison defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill as a senior assistant coach, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Hemphill rejoins Elko’s staff after previously serving under Elko as Duke‘s safeties and co-defensive coordinator from 2022-23 when Elko was the Blue Devils’ head coach. Hemphill spent the 2024 season as James Madison‘s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. He has prior coordinator experience during a five-year stint at Wake Forest from 2017-21.

Hemphill will work under second-year Aggies defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, who also coaches linebackers, as Elko seeks to improve A&M’s disappointing pass defense last season. The Aggies allowed 232.2 yards through the air per game, which ranked No. 91 nationally and 13th in the SEC in 2024.

Mike Elko roasts Texas A&M pass defense after bowl loss: ‘We have no concept of what we’re doing’

Texas A&M blew a 24-7 lead to USC on Dec. 27 in the Las Vegas Bowl and ended up falling to the Trojans 35-31. Aggies head coach Mike Elko pointed to Texas A&M’s inability to stop USC’s passing attack as the biggest issue in the loss.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a victory. Two of his touchdowns came in the final five minutes, including the game-winner with 8 seconds remaining.

Elko was clearly frustrated with the Texas A&M pass defense after the game, and he didn’t hold back on the struggles.

“I think the story of the game is the story of our season, you know,” Elko said. “We can’t cover the forward pass well enough to be a good football team, and so that’s my fault.”

As for what specifically the Aggies need to fix its pass defense before 2025, Elko said there is a long list of issues. However, he is committed to making sure that they all get fixed.

“So many things. Fundamentally. … We can’t play zone coverage,” Elko said. “Every time we play zone coverage we give up big plays. So we have no concept of space. We have no concept of zone coverage. We have no concept of what we’re doing.

“So we have to play man-to-man all the time. And we had some guys in there filling in some roles today that got caught in a lot of man-to-man situations and that was hard for them.”

Matt Connolly contributed to this report.