Michigan football’s new head coach, Kyle Whittingham, is making significant moves to bolster the team’s defense by hiring Jay Hill as the defensive coordinator. The announcement came on January 1, following a series of adjustments made primarily on the offensive side of the game.
Hill, who previously served as the defensive coordinator at BYU, played a pivotal role in leading the Cougars to a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory against Georgia Tech just days before his hiring was confirmed. His extensive coaching resume includes a successful tenure at Weber State, where he amassed a record of 68-39 over nine seasons, earning four Big Sky Conference titles and six appearances in the FCS Tournament. His efforts at Weber State established him as the program’s winningest coach.
With over a decade of experience at Utah prior to his time at Weber State, Hill has a longstanding relationship with Whittingham, having progressed from graduate assistant to special teams coordinator during his tenure at Utah from 2001 to 2013.
Hill’s deep roots in Utah, both as a native of Lehi and as a former coach in Salt Lake City, further cement his connection to Whittingham’s coaching philosophy. The hiring is expected to enhance Michigan’s defensive strategy significantly, reflecting Whittingham’s commitment to building a well-rounded coaching staff.
As the program prepares for the upcoming season, these strategic hires on both sides of the ball indicate an optimistic outlook for Michigan football under Whittingham’s leadership.