Aggies Promote Defensive Assistant To Full-Time Staff Member

COLLEGE STATION -- Change is coming to Texas A&M's coaching staff for the 2023 season.

A&M coach Jimbo Fisher announced Sunday during team media days that defensive analyst Joe Schaefer would be promoted to the full-time staff. Schaefer will coach the team's nickel and dime defenders in the secondary. He also will work some with the team's defensive ends.

Schaefer, who joined the Aggies in 2022, will replace longtime A&M coach Terry Price as part of the full-time staff. Price passed away earlier this summer at the age of 55.

A riser in the industry, Schaefer was brought over to College Station alongside D.J. Drukin after thriving at FCS Youngstown State, where he served as defensive coordinator. Schaefer previously worked under Durkin as Maryland's quality control coach in 2016.

Joe Schaefer will fill the coaching spot left vacant by Terry Price, Jimbo Fisher said. He will coach nickels and safeties.

Elijah Robinson will coach the entire defensive line.
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"Coach Schaefer, that is my guy," sophomore safety Bryce Anderson told reporters Sunday. "He has helped me the most out of anybody... He is a big part of my success."

Schafter will be tasked with keeping A&M's secondary in pristine condition entering a pivotal year under Fisher. Despite the change from Mike Elko to Durkin, the Aggies ranked No. 1 in pass defense, allowing an average of 156.2 yards per game through the air.

A&M finished 5-7, marking its worst season since joining the Southeastern Conference and its worst year since 2008. The Aggies return three starting defensive backs, including veteran Demani Richardson.

The Aggies made strides in the transfer portal to replace nickel defender Antonio Johnson and cornerback Jaylon Jones. Anderson is expected to start in the nickel in place of Johnson. On the boundary, Tony Grimes (North Carolina), Josh DeBerry (Boston College) and Sam McCall (Florida State) all could win the starting job opposite junior Tyreek Chappell.

Price, a Texas A&M alum who served as the Aggies' defensive line coach and top recruiter, will be replaced by Elijah Robinson, who Fisher said will control the whole defensive line. Robinson also was promoted to co-defensive coordinator alongside Durkin.

“I learned so much from Coach Price, just watching and observing him," Robinson said when asked about his time working with Coach Price. "The type of father he was, the type of husband he was… I learned from Coach Price to enjoy the small moments.”

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