Texas A&M is losing more than just Elijah Robinson to Syracuse this offseason.
According to 247Sports, defensive assistant coach Joe Schaefer is expected to follow Robinson to Syracuse with a similar role on staff under first-year Orange coach Fran Brown. It is unclear if Schaefer will take the job now or leave with Robinson following the TaxAct Texas Bowl matchup against No. 20 Oklahoma State.
Robinson was hired as the Orange's new defensive coordinator following A&M's hiring of Mike Elko. Brown and Robinson grew up together in Camden, N.J., before getting into coaching.
Schaefer, 38, joined the Aggies as a defensive analyst ahead of the 2022 season. Following the passing of defensive line coach Terry Price, he was promoted to an assistant role by then-Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher.
This past season, Schaefer's efforts helped A&M transform back into a stalwart defensive front seven. The Aggies ranked top 20 nationally in sacks per game (3.5), tackles for a loss per game (eight), total defense (295 yards allowed per game), and run defense (106.7 rushing yards allowed per game).
A&M finished sixth nationally in sacks (42) and tackles for loss (96). Edgerrin Cooper was named a consensus All-American honors after leading the Aggies in tackles for loss (17).
Prior to his arrival in College Station, Schaefer spent time coaching at various locations, including Division II Findlay (2009), Toledo (2010), Maryland (2016), Iowa State (2016-17), Division III John Carroll (2018-19) and FCS Youngstown State (2020-21).
Elko, who went 18-9 in two seasons at Duke, is still building a staff in College Station. While only Tommy Moffit's hiring has been made official, Elko is expected to hire Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein for the same position.
Other hires expected to be announced soon include Sean Spencer (defensive line), Adam Cushing (offensive line) and Ishmail Aristide (cornerback).
Kickoff from NRG Stadium against the Cowboys is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Dec. 27.
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