BYU football is facing a major offseason shakeup after defensive coordinator Jay Hill officially left the program to accept the same position at Michigan. The move leaves head coach Kalani Sitake searching for a new leader on the defensive side of the ball ahead of the 2026 season.
Hill exits Provo after three highly successful years in which he helped elevate BYU’s defense to national relevance. Under his direction, the Cougars posted two Top 25 scoring defenses, while Hill also served as associate head coach, making him a key figure within Sitake’s staff.
Following Hill’s departure, Sitake released a statement praising the impact Hill made on the program and expressing confidence in BYU’s future.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Jay Hill for all he’s done for BYU football over the last three years,” Sitake said. “He’s a great coach, and I wish him the best in his new endeavor. Our football program is in a great place as we continue building on the success of the past two seasons with the talent we have returning in 2026.”
Sitake emphasized that continuity within the coaching staff will help ease the transition, noting the collaborative foundation that has been established on defense.
“I’m excited about the momentum we’ve built as a staff,” Sitake added. “We have a lot of quality coaches in this program, and we’ll make the necessary adjustments as we continue finding ways to help our players improve and elevate BYU football.”
Despite the loss of Hill, BYU remains firmly positioned among the Big 12’s elite. Sitake has led the Cougars to 23 wins over the past two seasons, the most by any program in the conference during its current 16-team format. The 2025 season ended with a 12–2 record and a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over No. 22 Georgia Tech.
Now, Sitake faces the challenge of hiring his third defensive coordinator since taking over in 2016. With expectations high and a strong roster returning, the decision could shape the next chapter of BYU football as the Cougars push toward another Big 12 title run in 2026.
