Texas A&M Hires Travis Williams as Associate Head Coach of Defense and Linebackers Coach

The former Arkansas coordinator arrives as the Aggies retool their staff to bolster linebacker development.

Overview

Texas A&M announced on Dec. 31 that Travis Williams will coach linebackers and hold the associate head coach of defense title.
Williams was Arkansas' defensive coordinator from 2023 until his dismissal in September 2025 following head coach Sam Pittman's firing.
His background includes Auburn linebackers coach (2016–18), co-defensive coordinator (2019), and UCF defensive coordinator under Gus Malzahn (2021–22).
The move caps staff changes that promoted Lyle Hemphill to defensive coordinator after Jay Bateman left for Kentucky and elevated Holmon Wiggins to offensive coordinator after Collin Klein departed for Kansas State.
Coverage notes Texas A&M is targeting gains in run defense and views Williams' recruiting reputation as a boost in the transfer portal after an 11–2 season that ended with a College Football Playoff loss to Miami.