It sounds like BYU is about to lose one of the best things they have going on the defensive side of the ball. According to multiple reports, defensive coordinator Jay Hill is expected to leave Provo and join Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan.
Hill’s got a long history with Whittingham. He spent over a decade on staff at Utah, first under Urban Meyer and then with Whittingham from 2001 to 2013. That’s where he cut his teeth, built a reputation, and became one of the better defensive minds in the region. When he left to take the head job at Weber State, he turned that place into a winner. Nine seasons, 68 wins, and a pile of Big Sky titles later, he bounced back to the FBS level at BYU and made an immediate impact.
And man, what a difference he made in Provo. BYU’s defense under Hill wasn’t just good; it was nasty. The Cougars gave up just 19 points per game and ranked in the top four in the Big 12 in scoring defense, total defense, and rushing defense. That side of the ball had been soft at times in recent years, and Hill came in and gave them an edge.
Now he’s heading out the door, and that’s a brutal loss for BYU. This move to Michigan isn’t just about getting back with Whittingham. It’s about taking the next step in a career that’s been trending upward for a long time. And for Michigan, it’s another high-level addition to a staff that’s looking to stay relevant in a post-Harbaugh/Moore world.
BYU’s going to have to regroup fast. Replacing Hill isn’t an easy job, but if anyone can get it right, it’s Kalani Sitake.
