Jay Bateman talks Gators linebackers, tackling and Co-DC Patrick Toney

Despite having to quarantine during the pandemic, Jay Bateman made a new friend in the coaching profession during that time. 

He was the defensive coordinator at North Carolina in 2020 and passed some of his down time by talking ball with other coaches virtually. One of them was Patrick Toney, Louisiana’s DC at the time. 

 “I think as defensive coordinators, you kind of stick together,” Bateman said. “So we got on some Zooms and some of those things during the pandemic, and got to know each other. 

“Very similar schematically from where I was in North Carolina. And so I think that just worked out. He’s a guy I’ve got a lot of respect for, and we were able to share ideas.”

That newfound coaching connection is what led Bateman to Florida, where first-year coach Billy Napier was in need of an inside linebackers coach to fill out his staff. Toney connected the dots. 

“I talked to Coach Toney a few times about the situation, you know, trying to figure out what the best thing was,” said Bateman, who was looking for a job after parting ways with UNC. “I certainly was really intrigued. This is one of the top handful of programs in all college football. So after I talked to Coach Napier the first time, I was really fired up. And then we talked again, and it worked out.”

When Bateman first arrived at UF, he said everyone told him he had “one of the better rooms” on the team. After working with his position group for the past three weeks, Bateman doesn’t feel duped. 

“I think they’re right. I’m pretty, pretty excited about this group,” said Bateman, who raved about seniors Ventrell Miller and Amari Burney. “They’ve played a lot of football. They understand. By the time the season starts they’ll both be graduates of Florida.

“They’re obviously really bright kids. Coaching Amari Burney’s like coaching like a 30-year-old guy, he’s a dream to coach. So I’m excited about those two guys.”

In order to earn his degree, Miller has missed several Tuesday and Thursday practices this spring due to a scheduling conflict with a class he needs for graduation. Despite Miller’s absence on the field, he’s made his presence felt. 

“He comes to every meeting. He’s at every walkthrough,” Bateman said. “Ventrell’s played a lot of football. The No. 1 thing is to graduate, right? So he’s got to graduate.

“He’s been there every Saturday; we play better when he’s there on Saturday. So it’s helped us, but it’s really helped us get Scooby [Williams] extra reps and get Derek [Wingo] extra reps.”

Bateman’s fifth player at his position, Diwun Black, could also use the extra reps. He played defensive back and STAR last season but has made the move to inside linebacker this spring. 

“I think when we got here that we were pretty confident that’s what he was. We haven’t really moved him at all,” Bateman said of Black. “I don’t know what happened in the past. But since I’ve been here, he’s played Will linebacker and done a good job.”

Jay Bateman harping on tackling

Bateman didn’t hesitate when asked what he’s emphasizing with his players in camp. 

As a whole, he said the group must improve tackling in 2022. After reviewing tape on Florida’s inside linebackers, that was the biggest issue Bateman identified. 

“When I got here and ran all the PFFs and looked at all the plays that they had played in their career, that was something that jumped out at me,” he said. “I think if you play linebacker in college football nowadays, you have to be an elite tackler. 

“And the great thing is we actually practice in such a way that we’re able to work on that correction, which is unique. So, yeah, I think that’s the one thing that I’m hanging my hat on we’ve got to get better at.” 

With the addition this summer of signee Shemar James, who was ranked 58th nationally in the On3 Consensus, the Gators will have six inside linebackers including three top-100 recruits. 

Bateman feels good about the depth at his position, with a pair of veterans leading the pack and some young talent developing behind them. 

“I think we got a room full of good players that can all play. So I feel very comfortable with the depth,” Bateman said. “Obviously, you want to have every soldier in the fight. So I think that’s our goal, to try to get all of them ready to battle, and I think we will. 

“I think our room is gonna be great. We’ve got a great freshman coming. Shemar James is really talented and he’s been awesome with my conversations with him. So I think that rooms can be a strength for sure.”

Does Bateman expect to have a playmaking group? 

“I sure hope so,” he said. “But I think Patrick Toney’s really, really bright. I think this is a defense where linebackers are going to be in position to make big plays. And I think they will make those plays better in those positions.”