June 8, 2025

Texas A&M Aggies Restructure Coaching Staff and Softball Roster

News Summary

The Texas A&M Aggies are making significant offseason adjustments in football and softball. Coach Mike Elko adds David Cooney to the staff while notable player Amari Harper enters the transfer portal. These changes are part of a broader strategy to enhance competitiveness as both teams prepare for upcoming seasons. Cooney’s recruitment expertise and Harper’s departure highlight the dynamic nature of the athletic department’s landscape.

College Station, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies are making offseason adjustments in preparation for the upcoming sports seasons, with significant developments in their football and softball programs. David “Pop” Cooney, a current member of the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff, is expected to join the Aggies, while softball player Amari Harper has entered the transfer portal.

David Cooney is currently serving as the director of recruiting and assistant wide receivers coach for the Miami Hurricanes. At Texas A&M, he is anticipated to play a key role in enhancing the team’s recruiting efforts, although his specific position has not yet been disclosed. Cooney’s experience and connections in South Florida are expected to be valuable assets as the Aggies aim to strengthen their roster. Having spent eight years at Miami and previously coaching at various high schools in Florida, Cooney has established deep roots in the region.

This potential addition marks the third off-the-field staffing change by head coach Mike Elko during this offseason. In addition to Cooney, Lyle Hemphill and DJ Mann have also been incorporated into the coaching staff this summer. DJ Mann, originally from Lubbock, Texas, joins as the associate director of player personnel. He previously held the position of assistant director of player personnel under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Lyle Hemphill, who has collaborated closely with Elko during their time at Duke, is now stepping into the role of senior assistant after serving as the defensive coordinator at James Madison.

On the softball front, Amari Harper, a notable player for the Aggies, has opted to enter the transfer portal, signaling her move from the program. Harper had an impressive season, tying a career-high with three hits during the College Station Regional against Liberty and providing depth to the infield after taking over at first base. She completed the season with a .421 batting average, ranking tied for second on the team, contributing 51 RBIs and hitting eight home runs.

Coach Trisha Ford praised Harper as a “true utility” player, highlighting her versatility and minimal errors while switching between varying positions throughout the season. The Aggies recently saw a significant roster change, as six seniors and one graduate student graduated, with Harper’s departure following that trend as two other players have also entered the transfer portal. Rising sophomore Harley Vestal has already signed with Texas State, and rising senior Kylei Griffin is entering the portal for the second time after previously transferring from Louisiana.

As Texas A&M prepares for fall camp, the restructuring of the football coaching staff and the tenure changes within the softball team reflect broader shifts within the athletic department. The coaching staff’s recruitment strategy under Mike Elko and the player movement within the softball program are crucial developments to monitor as both teams look to build compelling programs moving forward. Whether these changes will yield positive outcomes for the Aggies remains to be seen, but they represent proactive measures aimed at bolstering competitiveness in the upcoming seasons.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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