Report: Kansas State targeting Texas A&M's Jordan Peterson as defensive coordinator

Kansas State is targeting Texas A&M co-defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson as its next defensive coordinator, according to a report from CBS Sports. He previously coached at Kansas and would take on a key role under new K-State coach Collin Klein.

Peterson – who played cornerback at Texas A&M – spent the last two years at his alma mater under Mike Elko, and the Aggies’ defense became one of the nation’s best. In 2025, they ranked No. 19 in the nation with 309.8 yards allowed per game. That was a significant improvement from 2024 when Texas A&M gave up 367.3 yards on average.

Before returning to Texas A&M, Peterson worked at Kansas from 2020-23. He started out as safeties coach and later became the Jayhawks’ defensive pass game coordinator. That came after three years as the safeties coach at New Mexico, including one season as defensive coordinator in 2019.

Jordan Peterson is the latest Texas A&M assistant targeted to join Collin Klein at K-State. The Wildcats are also expected to bring Aggies tight ends coach Christian Ellsworth aboard the staff, On3’s Pete Nakos previously reported.

Although he’s getting ready to return to Manhattan as a head coach, Klein is staying with Texas A&M through the College Football Playoff. The Aggies’ first-round game against Miami is set for Saturday at Kyle Field. When asked this week about how Klein is balancing offensive coordinator duties with his responsibilities at Kansas State, Mike Elko reiterated his confidence he’ll be able to help Texas A&M succeed in the postseason.

“I have a ton of confidence in Collin, in who he is as a man and who he is as a competitor, that he’ll give the focus and energy that he needs to, to ensure that this thing is done the right way and finished the right way,” Elko said. “So I have no questions about that. I think all in, we’ll be able to manage this thing pretty well.”

Elko knows there has to be an active search for Klein’s replacement. But they seem to be in a good place with how they’re operating and a decision shouldn’t take too long after the CFP.

“I think we’re in a pretty good place with it,” Elko said. “Our intentions right now are to try to get through the season and let that thing play out. But I think we’re in a really good place with knowing which direction we want to go with that.”