Florida Gators linebackers coach Jay Bateman going to Texas A&M
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida is losing linebackers coach Jay Bateman to another SEC school. Gators Online has confirmed reports that Bateman would join Mike Elko’s staff at Texas A&M. Bateman will reportedly be named the defensive coordinator for the Aggies.
Bateman spent two seasons with the Gators coaching linebackers and was the team’s tackling coordinator. Billy Napier credited Bateman for the development of two young linebackers, Shemar James and Scooby Williams.
During his first year at Florida, Bateman delivered two NFL Draft picks, including Ventrell Miller who was picked in the fourth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, along with Amari Burney who was selected by Las Vegas in the sixth round.
Burney had a breakout season in his final campaign with the Gators, contributing in a multitude of ways. The St. Petersburg, Fla. native ranked tied for first on the team in interceptions (two), second in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (9.0), tied for second in forced fumbles (two), tied for second in pass breakups (4) and fourth in tackles (79). Burney’s 79 tackles ranked tied for 18th in the SEC, while his 9.0 tackles for loss ranked tied for 20th.
Burney was one of five FBS linebackers with at least 4.0 sacks, two INTs and two forced fumbles. He was also one of three SEC defenders to have forced four-plus turnovers in 2022.
Burney’s signature play of 2022 happened during the first game season, however. He sealed a 29-26 season-opening victory over No. 7 Utah with his third-career interception, which came in the endzone wiith 0:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. The victory marked UF’s highest-ranked victory in a season opener in program history.
Meanwhile, Miller, one of the most vocal leaders on the team during the 2022 campaign, finished his last season as a Gator with the fifth-most tackles in the team (71). His 71 tackles ranked tied for 26th in the conference.
Bateman’s unit contributed to a Florida defense that produced 22 takeaways during the 2022 season, ranking tied for first in the SEC. Those takeaways factored into a turnover margin (8) that ranked eighth in the nation.
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The Gators now have two coaching vacancies to fill on the staff. On National Signing Day, Billy Napier addressed the absence of a defensive line coach and the timeline to round out his staff.
“We’ll have that announcement as soon as we can,” Napier said of the defensive line coach vacancy. “We’ll get it to you. We’ve been going through that process, and I feel comfortable with where we landed.”
Jay Bateman coaching history
| JAY BATEMAN COACHING HISTORY | |
| Year | School, Position (Record as HC) |
| 2022- | Florida, Inside Linebackers Coach |
| 2019-2021 | North Carolina, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach |
| 2014-2018 | Army, Defensive Coordinator |
| 2011-2013 | Ball State, Defensive Coordinator |
| 2006-2010 | Elon, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers |
| 2005 | Lehigh, Defensive Line Coach |
| 2004 | Richmond, Assistant Secondary Coach |
| 2000-2003 | Siena College, Head Coach (5-35) |
| 1999 | Siena College, Defensive Coordinator |
| 1997-1998 | Hampden-Sydney, Graduate Assistant |
| 1995-1997 | Benedictine High School, Assistant |
