5 months ago
- Wolverines
- Updated: Jan. 02, 2026, 1:09 p.m.
- Published: Jan. 02, 2026, 1:08 p.m.
While reports of hires to Kyle Whittingham’s unit person been flowing for a fewer days now, Michigan yet made 1 official.
BYU protect coordinator Jay Hill was formally named nan Wolverines’ adjacent protect coordinator connected Friday successful an announcement from nan program.
In a statement, Whittingham called Hill, 50, “a awesome leader” and “one of nan sharpest minds successful nan game.”
“His competitory quality and committedness to excellence will thief america forge a disciplined, reliable defense that prides itself connected physicality,” Whittingham said. “Jay has nan expertise to consistently put players successful nan champion position to win and make plays.”
Hill spent nan past 3 years astatine BYU, wherever he served arsenic protect coordinator, subordinate caput coach and safeties coach.
In 2025, nan Cougars classed 21st successful scoring defense and apical 25 aggregate categories: red-zone defense (fifth), interceptions (seven), protect TDs allowed (10th), turnovers gained (14th), third-down defense (19th) and passing defense ratio (25th).
BYU led nan federation successful interceptions successful 2024, nan aforesaid twelvemonth nan defense classed 13th successful full yards allowed.
“It is an absolute grant for maine and my family to subordinate nan Michigan Wolverines,” Hill said successful a statement. “We are truthful excited to subordinate coach Whittingham, his unit and look guardant to building relationships pinch these awesome players.”
Hill praised Michigan’s heavy history and tradition, saying nan unit is dedicated to processing players and winning championships.
Before Hill’s stint astatine BYU, he served arsenic nan caput coach astatine FCS Weber State, wherever he compiled a 68-39 grounds and won 4 Big Sky Conference championships. He was named Big Sky coach of nan twelvemonth successful 2020 and turned retired 2 NFL all-pro players, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (Seattle) and cornerback Taron Johnson (Buffalo).
He played 2 seasons astatine cornerback for Utah successful 1998 and ‘99, starring nan Mountain West successful interceptions during his elder year.
Hill and Whittingham continued to information retired nan Michigan protect staff, pinch Utah protect ends coach Lewis Powell reportedly joining nan Michigan staff. Defensive statement coach Lou Esposito is being retained, MLive antecedently reported.
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Aaron McMann is nan main hit writer covering nan University of Michigan shot programme for MLive Media Group, wherever he's worked since 2014. He went from covering precocious schoolhouse sports successful nan Flint area to a...
