Those in the know realize that the process of developing a football team never stops and is truly a 365-day-a-year process in order to put forth the most competitive product possible. Recruiting never ends, both for players coming up through the prep ranks and those who decide to enter the transfer portal, which opens up one day after the new year and extends through January 15.

And that’s just part of it, at least for a BYU football team that is rumored to be losing at least one prominent member of its staff in quick order.

Maintaining a top tier coaching staff

A problem with having quality coaches on staff is that other teams notice, and when vacancies arise those same coaches become very attractive to outside suitors. Such is the case with a Cougar staff that has produced a 23-4 record over the past two seasons, to the point where it will come as a surprise, at this stage, if BYU’s staff is kept intact when the 2026 season rolls around.

Kyle Whittingham taking the head coaching job at Michigan changed everything. First and foremost is BYU Defensive Coordinator Jay Hill being mentioned widely as the top target to join Whittingham, whom he has extensive history with, at Michigan. BYU Coach Kalani Sitake was a bit cryptic when asked about Hill’s situation immediately following the Pop-tarts Bowl, although it seems likely at this point that BYU will be looking for a new defensive coordinator in short order.

The question remains; Who does Hill take with him to Ann Arbor, if anyone?

All that should unfold quickly as Whittingham mentioned in his press conference that he’s set to announce his coaching staff at Michigan right after Utah’s game versus Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl.

But what about the offensive side of the football? Reports indicate that Whittingham is set to bring in most, if not all of Utah’s offensive staff from last season headed by former BYU quarterback Jason Beck as the coordinator. So that leaves Utah looking for a replacement with Aaron Roderick a definite possibility when considering how close he is with new Utah Head Coach Morgan Scalley among other factors. According to sources, Roderick has in fact been contacted by Utah and been offered a position as the team’s Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach.

Which assistants either Hill or Roderick will take with them presents other problems should both elect to move on from Provo. Certainly maintaining a quality staff is first and foremost on the to-do list for BYU this offseason with the notable departures, if there are indeed departures, created vacancies that will need to be addressed in short order.

Transfer Portal

As mentioned, the transfer portal opens up in short order and BYU certainly has some positions that could be well-served with transfers for the upcoming 2026 season.

Priority No. 1 would be bringing in at least one and as many as three top-flight running backs capable of taking a starting role. LJ Martin is likely to enter the NFL draft, leaving a void that is tremendous given the lack of talented bodies existing on the current Cougar roster.

Sure, Jovesa Damuni had good moments in the Pop-tarts Bowl, but that’s one guy. Who else do you got? Well, there’s the addition of standout Lehi running back DeVaughn Eka who will be on the roster as a true freshman next season, but that’s the point; Eka will be a true freshman bereft of any collegiate experience and very much an unknown with regards to how well he’ll contribute.

Next up would be the tight end position where Carsen Ryan will be a very tough player to replace. The Cougars have some decent backups in Keayen Nead and Noah Moeaki, both of whom were utilized primarily as blockers this season, but more additions will be needed. The good news is that USC tight end Walker Lyons, the brother of recent BYU signee Ryder Lyons, has already announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, making him a very likely addition come next month.

The list doesn’t end at running back and tight end, although those two positions seem to be the ones most in need of quality transfers.

Of course BYU is probably set to lose some of its own players, and particularly if Hill and other coaches follow through on the reports of coaching elsewhere. Players are often given to follow their coaches to new locations, and some of BYU’s top defensive players, most notably safety Faletau Satuala, could very well be entering the portal if Hill decides to leave.

So it’s about to get a little nuts in Provo, or maybe not. It’s hard to know exactly what’s going to happen in this crazy new world of college football and we’ll do our best to apprise you of any developments as soon as they happen in what could very well become an intriguing if not turbulent offseason for BYU football.