Texas A&M Hires Kansas Assistant Jordan Peterson as Defensive Backs Coach

Texas A&M Aggies hired former Kansas Assistant Jordan Peterson as defensive backs coach.

Just one day after Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko retained Bryant Gross-Armiento as a senior defensive analyst, Wesley McGriff opted to return to Auburn instead of taking on the role of passing game coordinator & co-defensive backs coach alongside Ishmael Aristide.

In a swift move, Elko has now secured McGriff's replacement, and it's a familiar face for devoted members of the 12th Man. As reported by Billy Liucci of TexAgs, the Aggies have brought on Jordan Peterson, the co-defensive coordinator from Kansas, to serve as co-cornerbacks coach.

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Peterson, a Texas A&M alumnus, concluded four seasons at Kyle Field, earning a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2009 and a master’s in education curriculum and instruction in 2010. 

Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds, he excelled as a safety, accumulating impressive stats, including 81 tackles, 15 pass deflections, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Along the way, he distinguished himself as a two-time All-Big 12 Academic First Team selection.

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Following his collegiate career, Peterson transitioned into coaching, starting as a graduate assistant in College Station from 2010 to 2011. He continued his coaching journey at Fresno State from 2012 to 2016, then at New Mexico from 2017 to 2019, and most recently, he spent the last four seasons with the Jayhawks from 2020 to 2023. 

The Peterson hire makes it the second time this month that Coach Elko has plucked a coach from a Kansas university, hiring KSU offensive coordinator Collin Klein.