Kentucky football's new defensive coordinator, Jay Bateman, is a known "shark" on the recruiting trail, and Stein is ready to unleash his aggressive, hodgepodge defensive style on the SEC. So far, Bateman likes what he sees from the cupboard he inherited.
The hodgepodge defense
“I don’t want to give a whole lot away, but we had a lot of success at Texas A&M,” Bateman said. He isn't just running one system; he’s blending pieces from his time at North Carolina, Florida, and his legendary Army units that finished in the top 10 nationally.
Bateman chose Kentucky because Stein gave him the autonomy to call the defense his way. After a year at A&M. where Mike Elko eventually took over play-calling, Bateman is clearly ready to get back in the driver’s seat.
How successful he is will go a long way in just how successful Kentucky can be.
Elite leadership already showing up in Ty Bryant and Sam Greene
While Bateman won't give too much away scheme-wise, the leaders are crystal clear. Bateman was quick to point to Lexington native Ty Bryant as an "elite leader and person." Bryant, coming off a season where he led the team in tackles (76) and interceptions (4), is the undisputed quarterback of the secondary.
He will need to play a big role in getting all the new guys in the right spot.
Bateman is also keeping a close eye on Sam Greene. Although the talented EDGE rusher is still recovering from a season-ending injury sustained last November against Florida, his presence hasn't gone unnoticed. “I’ll be really excited to get Sam back,” Bateman said. “I think Sam is just a tremendous kid... I’ve been really impressed.”
When you make an impression before you even hit the field, I'd say you are doing something right.
The effort gauge
Bateman is not taking it easy on his unit during spring drills. He knows the SEC is unforgiving, and he’s throwing the entire playbook at them right now.
“We’re not going slow," Bateman noted. "Some mistakes are happening, but I feel like our effort has been pretty good. As long as they are giving us effort, we can keep throwing it at them.”
I appreciate that in a coach. Go full speed all the time.
Full speed ahead
Bateman’s philosophy is simple: Aggression over hesitancy.
You can fix a mistake made at 100 mph, but you can’t fix a player who is too afraid to hit the hole. If the "Stein-Bateman" era is going to work, and I think it will, it’s going to be because they turned Kentucky into a puncher instead of a counterpuncher.