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New Aggies Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman To Coach From Press Box in 2024

New Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman discussed his coaching strategy this week, including his game-day plans.

Matt Galatzan

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The Texas A&M Aggies are set to take the field for the season opener against Notre Dame later this month with an all-new coaching staff in tow.

That includes on the defensive side of the ball, where new head coach Mike Elko hired defensive coordinator Jay Bateman to help run his defense.

When meeting with the media this week, Bateman revealed his plan on game days, and that he will be helping to call plays from the press box.

Stewart
Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) breaks past New Mexico Lobos offensive lineman Matthew Toilolo (74) during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m gonna be in the press box,” Bateman said. “I’ve kind of gone back and forth with that, but I do think with Mike on the sideline and me in the press box. Mike can’t be in the press box. I don’t think we’ll let him do that. So, I’m going to be in the press box.”

Last season under Jimbo Fisher, former defensive coordinator DJ Durking was calling plays from the sideline, where he had a direct line of contact to his players in between every snap.

However, as he did with the Florida Gators, Bateman prefers to call the defense from the press box, where he can see the field, and get a better read for what the offense is trying to do.

“I like it better up there calling the game, and you can see it a little bit better,” Bateman said. “I’m very confident in our staff, the ability to communicate and drive what we believe in as our standard of excellence on defense on the sideline.”

Bateman will call his first game in primetime on Aug. 31 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Kyle Field.

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Matt Galatzan

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com, AllAggies.com, and MizzouSportsTalk.com, as well as the Editor-In-Chief of InsideTheBears.com, TheGroveReport.com, RamDigest.com, AllSeahawks.com, and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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