Michigan’s coaching transition under new head coach Kyle Whittingham is starting to take shape - and it’s doing so with a bang on the defensive side of the ball. According to reports, Whittingham is bringing in a trusted lieutenant in Jay Hill to serve as Michigan’s new defensive coordinator. And if Hill’s recent track record is any indication, this is a hire that should have Wolverines fans fired up.
Hill, who played under Whittingham during his own college days, has been BYU’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. He also held titles as safeties coach and associate head coach, helping guide the Cougars to a 12-2 finish this season, capped off with a win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. But it’s not just the win total that stands out - it’s how BYU played defense under Hill that makes this move so intriguing for Michigan.
A Defense That Lives Off Turnovers
Let’s start with what Hill’s defenses have done best: take the ball away.
In 2024, BYU ranked third in the nation in takeaways with 29. That included 22 interceptions spread across 12 different players - a testament not just to scheme, but to depth and preparation across the board.
This season, the Cougars followed that up with another 17 picks and 23 total turnovers. That’s 52 takeaways in just two years.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It points to a defense that’s aggressive, opportunistic, and well-drilled in creating chaos. For a Michigan program that’s prided itself on physical, disciplined football, adding a turnover-hungry approach could be the perfect complement - especially in a Big Ten that’s about to get even more competitive with USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA joining the mix.
And it’s not just turnovers. BYU also racked up 50 sacks over the past two seasons, including 30 this year - their highest single-season total since 2016.
Hill’s defenses don’t just sit back and wait for mistakes. They force the issue, and they do it with a mix of pressure and ball-hawking play in the secondary.
Familiar Faces Could Follow
Hill’s arrival in Ann Arbor could also set the stage for other key defensive assistants to join him - and one name to keep an eye on is Jernaro Gilford.
Gilford has been BYU’s cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator, and he’s helped build one of the most consistent takeaway units in the country. The Cougars have finished in the top 20 nationally in interceptions for three straight seasons, including 14 picks in 2023. That’s not a coincidence - it’s coaching.
The BYU pass defense allowed just 182 passing yards per game in 2024, and while that number ticked up to 221 this season, the secondary still played with an attacking mentality that fits Hill’s overall philosophy. If Gilford joins the Wolverines' staff, pairing him with Hill - who also coaches safeties - would give Michigan a proven tandem in the back end of the defense.
There’s been more chatter about offensive staff additions since Whittingham’s hire, but don’t be surprised if the defensive staff takes shape just as quickly - and just as impressively.
Leadership Experience That Matters
Beyond the Xs and Os, Hill brings something else that could prove invaluable down the line: head coaching experience.
Before his time at BYU, Hill spent eight years as the head coach at Weber State, where he won four Big Sky titles and built a reputation as one of the sharpest defensive minds in the country. That experience matters - especially on a staff that’s likely to have its eyes on long-term succession planning.
Whittingham has said he believes he can coach the full five years of his contract, but the reality is, Michigan is smart to surround him with coaches who could step in and lead if needed. Hill, along with offensive coordinator Jason Beck, fits that mold. Both have the pedigree, the leadership chops, and the trust of Whittingham to potentially take over when the time comes.
But for now, Hill’s focus will be on building a defense that keeps Michigan in the national title conversation. And based on what he’s done at BYU - turning takeaways into a calling card and developing a physical, attacking identity - the Wolverines might be getting one of the most impactful hires of the offseason.
This is more than just a reunion between a head coach and his former player. It’s a strategic move to bring in one of college football’s most effective defensive minds - and it could pay dividends in Ann Arbor for years to come.