Kyle Whittingham Joins Michigan, Eyes Jay Hill - And BYU Watches Closely
ORLANDO - Just a few miles from where Kyle Whittingham was shaking hands and meeting his new team for the first time as Michigan’s head coach, Kalani Sitake was already a step ahead.
Fresh off BYU’s 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Sitake wasn’t surprised to hear Whittingham was back in the game. In fact, he called it.
“I made the statement that it is hard to see Kyle not doing something. And there’s the something,” Sitake said, referencing Whittingham’s decision to sign a five-year deal with the Wolverines instead of heading into retirement.
Whittingham’s move to Ann Arbor is more than just a headline - it could have a ripple effect that hits BYU directly. As the Cougars were wrapping up their season in Orlando, Whittingham was flying into town himself, preparing to meet with Michigan brass and begin assembling his new staff ahead of their bowl game against Texas, set to take place in the same stadium.
And one name reportedly at the top of Whittingham’s list? BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill.
If Whittingham does indeed make a push for Hill, it would be a big-time opportunity - we’re talking about one of the top coordinator jobs in college football. And for Hill, it could be a stepping stone toward a head coaching role down the line. That kind of chance doesn’t come around often.
Sitake, for his part, didn’t confirm anything - but he didn’t exactly shut the door either.
“When [Whittingham takes a job], he has a network that he goes to for putting together a staff. That is how football works,” Sitake said.
“I feel really good about what we have going here with the players and coaches. We will go with what we’ve got.
They established the foundation and Jay was a big part of that defensively.”
When asked directly about Hill’s future, Sitake deferred, saying, “Jay is going to make his own statements. I’m just acknowledging that Kyle is at Michigan and guys have decisions to make.”
Translation: nothing’s official yet, but the wheels are turning.
For BYU, Hill’s potential departure would be a big loss. He’s helped solidify the Cougars’ identity on defense, and his fingerprints are all over the foundation Sitake referenced. But Sitake made it clear - regardless of what happens, the program is built to last.
“It’s not me. I’m here to stay,” Sitake said.
“The program is in a really good spot because of a lot of people. It will be an honor for me to keep this thing going.”
As Whittingham begins his next chapter in Ann Arbor, all eyes in Provo will be on what - and who - comes with him.