Kyle Whittingham Appoints Jay Hill as Michigan Football Defensive Coordinator
The Michigan Wolverines have made significant changes to their coaching staff. Kyle Whittingham has appointed Jay Hill as the new defensive coordinator, adding depth to the team’s coaching capabilities. Hill, a seasoned 50-year-old coach from Utah, joins Michigan after a successful tenure at BYU.
Jay Hill’s Coaching Background
- Previously served as the defensive coordinator, associate head coach, and safeties coach at BYU since 2022.
- Under his leadership, BYU’s defense allowed just 19.0 points per game in 2024 and 19.6 points in 2025.
- Hill was the head coach at Weber State for nine seasons, achieving a 68-39 record and winning the Big Sky Conference four times.
Before his career at BYU, Hill was closely associated with Whittingham. He worked under him as an assistant coach from 2005 to 2013 and was part of Utah’s staff from 2001 to 2004. This history is expected to foster a strong working relationship at Michigan.
Defensive Achievements at BYU
During Hill’s time at BYU, notable defensive accomplishments included:
- Leading the nation with 22 interceptions in 2024.
- Achieving the highest sack total since 2016 with 30 sacks in 2025.
Transition at Michigan
Hill replaces Wink Martindale, who served as defensive coordinator for the past two seasons under Sherrone Moore. This change marks a departure from the Ravens-style system, which has been in place for several years under previous coordinators Mike Macdonald and Jesse Minter.
On Saturday, Hill capped off his BYU tenure with a strong performance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where his defense allowed no points in the second half against Georgia Tech. This was a testament to Hill’s coaching prowess and his commitment to strong defensive play.
As Hill steps into his new role, expectations are high for enhancing Michigan’s defensive capabilities, which have been a cornerstone of Whittingham’s coaching philosophy throughout his career.
