BYU Caps Breakout Season with Pop-Tarts Bowl Win, Faces Key Staff Turnover and Roster Shifts
BYU just wrapped up its best football season in two decades with a win that was as sweet as the bowl’s namesake. The Cougars took down No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, and the celebration was unforgettable - especially for head coach Kalani Sitake, who channeled his inner Joey Chestnut and devoured a Pop-Tart straight out of the toaster on national TV.
“Maybe ate a little too many,” Sitake joked afterward, smiling through the sugar rush.
But while the night ended with confetti and frosting, the morning after brought some sobering news for BYU fans. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill, the man behind the Cougars’ defensive resurgence and recruiting momentum, is reportedly on his way to Michigan. The move would reunite him with former boss Kyle Whittingham and leaves a major void on a staff that’s helped BYU win 23 games over the past two seasons.
And the departures don’t stop there.
Gavin Fowler, who worked closely with Hill in coaching the secondary, is heading to Weber State to take over as defensive coordinator. He’ll be joined by Eddie Heckard, who mentored the cornerbacks and will now serve in the same role at Weber. That’s a lot of institutional knowledge and defensive acumen walking out the door.
The good news? Sitake has the resources to reload. His recent contract extension came with a financial boost for the program’s coaching budget - a critical factor as the Cougars look to maintain momentum in the Big 12.
Who Could Replace Jay Hill?
There’s no shortage of intriguing options, and Sitake may not need to look far.
Kelly Poppinga is the most obvious internal candidate. He’s been coordinating special teams for the last three years, has defensive coordinator experience from his time at Virginia, and knows Hill’s scheme inside and out. If BYU wants continuity, Poppinga checks a lot of boxes.
Then there’s Gary Andersen, a seasoned veteran who’s been in the booth with Hill all season. With head coaching stints at Utah State, Wisconsin, and Oregon State, plus defensive coordinator experience at Utah, Andersen brings a wealth of knowledge. Sitake made a push for more resources in part to retain experienced analysts like Andersen - and this could be the moment to elevate him.
Looking at younger, rising voices on the staff, Jernaro Gilford and Justin Ena are both worth watching.
Gilford has been a steady presence at BYU through multiple coaching regimes and was just promoted to defensive passing game coordinator. He’s a strong recruiter and clearly on a trajectory toward a coordinator role. Promoting him would reward loyalty and potentially energize the defense with fresh ideas.
Ena, meanwhile, has transformed the linebacker room into a strength. Players like Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker have flourished under his guidance. Ena’s background in the Whittingham coaching tree gives him a philosophical alignment with Hill’s approach - prioritizing length, athleticism, and pressure from the second level.
If Sitake chooses to go outside the current staff, Pete Kwiatkowski is a name to keep an eye on. Recently let go by Texas, Kwiatkowski has a strong track record and deep ties to the West.
His résumé includes stops at Snow College, Boise State, Washington, and Eastern Washington before his stint in Austin. He’s a proven defensive mind with Power Four chops.
Quarterback Room Shake-Up
During the Pop-Tarts Bowl, it became clear that McCae Hillstead’s time in Provo was nearing an end. With starting quarterback Bear Bachmeier visibly hobbled throughout the game - yet still throwing for over 300 yards - Hillstead never got a snap. In a game that didn’t carry major postseason implications, the lack of opportunity spoke volumes.
Hillstead’s exit makes sense. Bachmeier has three years of eligibility left, and top prospect Ryder Lyons is set to arrive in 2027.
There simply wasn’t a path forward for Hillstead at BYU. But he won’t be short on options.
He started games as a freshman at Utah State and could be a natural fit for a Group of Five program in need of a quarterback.
More Departures
The Cougars are also seeing movement elsewhere on the roster.
Dom and Marcus McKenzie, the speedy brothers who never quite found their footing in Provo, are exploring new opportunities. Their departure opens up space in a crowded secondary and could lead to more reps for younger players.
LaMason Waller, a highly touted wide receiver recruit who never carved out a significant role, is also on his way out. His exit is part of the broader roster churn that’s become standard in the transfer portal era - especially for programs trying to stay competitive in Power Four conferences.
Ticket Prices on the Rise
As BYU heads into 2026 with seven home games on the schedule, fans will notice another change: season ticket prices are going up - in some cases, by as much as $1,000. It’s a steep increase, but not entirely surprising. Revenue is king in college athletics, and with the Cougars now entrenched in the Big 12, the cost of doing business - and winning - is going up.
There is a bit of a silver lining, though. With a program that’s trending upward, a passionate fan base, and a head coach like Sitake who’s shown he can build and sustain success, BYU is positioning itself to be a real player in the Power Four landscape.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl might’ve been the cherry (or frosting) on top of a great season, but the real test comes next - replacing key staff, retooling the roster, and proving that this year wasn’t just a flash in the pan.