BYU football defensive coordinator Jay Hill rebounding after health scare
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- BYU players gather around defensive coordinator Jay Hill on the field before the game against Southern Illinois at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
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- BYU coaches (from left) Jay Hill, Kelly Poppinga and Jernaro Gilford check out an update on early signing day in the football offices in Provo on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.
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- BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill tosses a beanbag in a game of cornhole with some of the Cougar players at the Cougar Kickoff in Provo on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
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- BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill talks to reporters after finishing spring camp at the outdoor practice facility on Friday, April 14, 2023.
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- BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill talks to members of the Cougar Club in Provo on signing day on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.
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- BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill talks to his players during practice in Provo on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.
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- BYU players listen to defensive coordinator Jay Hill during practice in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill grinned after practice on Tuesday when asked if he couldn’t use the “medical emergency” card to avoid talking to reporters for at least another week.
“I tried to,” he quipped. “They said if you can do a game, you can probably do this.”
The reality, though, is that Hill’s heart-attack scare less than two weeks ago did alter his perspective.
“Right now, I have to be smart,” Hill said. “I owe it to my family and everybody else to do it that way. It brings a different perspective on life when you’re laying on the table, and they’re telling you that you are having a heart attack, that they’ve got to go and do a quick surgery. But nothing will take away my passion for the game and my passion for my family. Now I’ve got to be smart and find that balance.”
Hill admitted that it isn’t easy to do.
“I’m fighting my way through that right now,” Hill said. “I’m cleared to do most things right now, just to be smart and trust what I feel.”
He explained that he never felt like being a football coach was putting his health at risk in any way.
“I don’t usually feel that it is a high-stress job but maybe I internalize it more than I thought,” Hill said. “I thought I was super healthy. It’s been a crazy deal for the players and especially for me, but I’m on the mend and we are getting better every day.”
There have been some physical changes to what Hill does during the week and on game day. He sees some benefits, but he hopes the adjustments are only temporary.
“I’m up in my little tent booth up there (on the second floor of the Student Athlete Building) during practice,” Hill said. “I’ve got an iPad. I can watch it and replay every play, and then I can actually see it better up there. But practice is a smidge different. I sit down. I’m on a headset, so they can yell at the guys anything I see.”
At least for now, he will also continue to be in the press box for games.
“On game day I’m in the box, instead of down on the field, which keeps just things a little more mellow and calm,” Hill said. “It’s not necessarily what I love, but it’s what’s best right now.”
BYU senior defensive back Jakob Robinson said that the circumstances have changed some of the emotion on the Cougar sideline during games but added some good perspective.
“We miss him on the field, just because he brings a lot of energy to everybody and just keeps everyone hyped,” Robinson said. “It’s definitely a little bit different with him up there, but I think the calls have been honestly a lot better. He is seeing what formation they’re in and just calling it, so I think it’s been nice too.”
Hill agreed that he felt like it gave him a better overview of what was happening on the field.
“I actually see it better up there, and it gives me a better perspective of what’s coming and tempo of the offense,” Hill said.
That may have played a part in how the BYU defense did in the 18-15 win at SMU on Saturday, where the Cougars held the Mustangs to five field goals and less than 300 yards of total offense.
“I’m super proud of the players,” Hill said. “That was the best executed scheme I think we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
He also wanted to give the lion’s share of the credit to the assistant coaches, who stepped up in the new situation and made sure everything worked well.
“They deserve a huge shout out with all the things that have been pressed upon them and the additional responsibilities,” Hill said. “They’ve had to pivot a little bit just on what they’re used to, but they have been so outstanding. They’ve called things at times in games and they’ve stepped up in the game planning. I can’t say enough about just the assistant coaches and the players trusting the process and what we’re trying to get done.”
Robinson said the BYU defenders were proud to go on the road and put together such a solid showing for their coordinator.
“It was nice,” Robinson said. “We would have wanted no points, of course, on the board. But I think it was awesome just to be able to go out there after he had a hard time and just support him.”
