The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542609
FEBRUARY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 BY JOHN BORTON K yle Whittingham's Utah team went a more-than-respectable 10-2 in 2025. Had it not been for Jay Hill, the Utes might have emerged 11-1, and maybe still be playing. Hill, who both played and coached for Whittingham in his younger days, has been on the opposite sideline the past three years. Hill was associate head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach for BYU from 2023-25, and his job when facing his former — and future — boss in- volved slowing down Utah's top-five of- fense this past year. The Cougars did that well enough last Oct. 18. Hosting Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, the Cougars secured a 24-21 win en route to a 12-2 season of their own. So, when Whittingham took the Michigan job, it didn't take him long to figure out the coach he wanted slowing down powerhouse Big Ten foes such as Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana. "Jay Hill is a great leader and one of the sharpest defensive minds in the game," Whittingham said. "His competitive na- ture and commitment to excellence will help us forge a disciplined, tough defense that prides itself on physicality. Jay has the ability to consistently put players in the best position to succeed and make plays. "We're excited to welcome Jay and his family to Ann Arbor, and we are confident they'll be a tremendous addition to our Michigan football family." Whittingham wasn't the only coach wishing Hill well. BYU boss Kalani Sitake would have loved for Hill to stay put in Provo, but offered thanks for what he'd done there. "I want to express my sincere appre- ciation to Jay Hill for all he's done for BYU football over the last three years," Sitake said in a released statement. "He's a great coach, and I wish him the best in his new endeavor." Coaches don't always garner well wishes in their moves, but there's no doubt Hill builds respect everywhere he goes. He spent nine years as a head coach at Weber State prior to joining BYU, post- ing a 68-39 record and winning four Big Sky Conference championships. The Big Sky Coach of the Year in 2020, he guided six teams to the FCS Playoffs, advancing to the semifinals in 2019. So, he brings all levels of coaching ex- pertise to Michigan. Whittingham no doubt hopes he brings BYU-type de- fensive numbers to The Big House, not to mention venues such as The 'Shoe in Columbus. BYU finished as a top-25 program na- tionally in scoring defense the past two seasons. The Cougars allowed 19.1 points per game in 2025 and 19.6 per contest in 2024, good for No. 21 and No. 18, respec- tively. BYU wound up No. 13 nationally in total defense in 2024, No. 35 this past year. The 2025 Cougars finished as a top-25 squad nationally in seven different cat- egories — red zone defense (No. 5 at 70.4 percent), interceptions (No. 7 with 17), defensive touchdowns (No. 10 with 3), turnovers gained (No. 14 with 24), third- down defense (No. 19 at 33 percent), scoring defense (No. 21 at 19.1) and pass efficiency defense (No. 25 with a 116.97 rating). But before he ever made a name for himself at Weber State and BYU, Hill es- tablished a history with Whittingham over nearly a decade of assistant coaching. He coached cornerbacks, running backs and tight ends at various times for Whitting- ham's Utah teams from 2005-13, prior to landing the head coaching job at the FCS school located between Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah. Hill now finds himself in his first coach- ing job east of the Mississippi, and he's OK with that. Actually, more than OK. "The Michigan program is deep with history and tradition that I look forward to honoring," Hill said after his hire. "The opportunity to develop great young men on and off the field and ultimately win championships at Michigan is something we are dedicated to do. I can't wait to get started. Go Blue!" ❑ ❱ Jay Hill Bio Notes • Jay Hill left Weber State as the school's all-time winningest head coach, with 68 victories over the course of nine seasons. He produced a pair of NFL Pro Bowl performers in those years, wideout Rashid Shaheed of the Seattle Seahawks and cornerback Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills. • Hill's duties while coaching at Utah broke down as follows: cornerbacks (2005-06), tight ends (2007-09), corner- backs (2010-11), running backs (2012) and tight ends (2013). • Hill's BYU defense led the nation in interceptions in 2024, securing 22. In his three seasons with the Cougars, his de- fenses scored a total of 8 touchdowns. Hill was associate head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach for BYU from 2023-25, but he both played and coached for Whittingham at Utah earlier in his career. PHOTO COURTESY BYU ATHLETICS DC Jay Hill Rejoins Forces With Kyle Whittingham