Kentucky is hiring Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to fill the same role in Lexington, ESPN reported Thursday.

Bateman, 52, directed the Aggies' defense for the past two seasons on Mike Elko's staff and previously held coordinator duties at North Carolina, Army, Ball State, Elon and Siena.

Per the report, Bateman will remain with No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) for the College Football Playoff. The Aggies have a first-round home game against No. 10 seed Miami (10-2) on Dec. 20 in College Station.

Bateman is one of the first hires for new Wildcats head coach Will Stein, who replaced Mark Stoops after spending the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Oregon.

Texas A&M will replace Bateman with associate head coach for defense Lyle Hemphill, according to the report. He ha

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