Reports suggest Peterson could leave KU for alma mater Texas A&M

JAN 20, 2024
The coaching carousel may have dealt another blow to Kansas’ staff.
Kansas co-defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson — who just earned that title via a December promotion, and previously served as defensive backs coach, safeties coach and a defensive analyst — is expected to join his alma mater Texas A&M to become the Aggies’ safeties coach. Billy Liucci of TexAgs.com first reported the prospective move Saturday afternoon, then FootballScoop followed suit.
Peterson’s departure would deprive Lance Leipold’s staff of one of its most successful recruiters and position coaches.
On the recruiting trail, Peterson led the creation of an Arizona pipeline that yielded four Jayhawk signees in the class of 2024; on the field, he has overseen the development of standout all-conference corners Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson, both of whom have announced plans to return to KU next season.
Leipold said in December that the new co-defensive coordinator title was an acknowledgment of Peterson’s value to the program.
In September, Peterson also called the defense for the season opener, which defensive coordinator Brian Borland had to miss due to a medical procedure.
Peterson actually predates Leipold’s KU staff, as he joined in 2020 to serve under Les Miles, following stints at A&M (as a graduate assistant) and then Fresno State and New Mexico.
Texas A&M has a new coach in former Duke head coach Mike Elko, who previously served as A&M’s defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021.
KU previously lost its offensive coordinator, Andy Kotelnicki, to Penn State in December. The school announced the promotions of Peterson and Jim Zebrowski on the same day that news came out. KU ultimately replaced Kotelnicki with Jeff Grimes, and now may need to search for a new position coach.
One of a few players to react to the reports, 2024 cornerback signee Jalen Todd, posted a facepalm emoji on X. Fellow 2024 recruit Deshawn Warner, of Goodyear, Arizona, opted for a broken heart emoji.