Looks like Kalani Sitake will have another new year’s resolution to undertake and in short order. Early on Thursday morning it was reported that BYU Defensive Coordinator Jay Hill has accepted a position within Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan to serve in the same capacity.

The news was first reported by ESPN College Football Senior Writer Pete Thamel and then confirmed by multiple other sources although BYU has yet to make any formal announcement. No other coaches on BYU’s staff have been reported to be on the move with Hill at the moment.

Hill served as BYU’s Defensive Coordinator for three seasons, taking the job just prior to the 2023 season following a head coaching stint at Weber State from 2014-2022. Hill improved BYU’s defense measurably over the past three seasons and ended the 2025 year having helped the Cougars achieve a 35th ranking in total defense nationally and 21st in scoring defense.

At Weber State Hill compiled a 68-39 overall record and left the program as its all-time winningest coach. Hill won four Big Sky Conference Championships while at Weber State and was named the conference’s Coach of the Year in 2020.

Hill has an extensive history with Kyle Whittingham having played for the former Utah head coach and then joining the Utah staff as a graduate assistant in 2001. Hill held various coaching positions while at Utah, including tight ends, running backs and cornerbacks coach before moving on to coach the Wildcats.

“I love the guy. That’s not a secret,” Hill said of Whittingham prior to BYU’s game versus Utah this past season. “He’s been so influential in my life, my playing career, and coaching career. His family is amazing.”

Hill is a Lehi, Utah native and played at Rick’s College before transferring to finish out his collegiate career for Utah. Hill is married to the former Sara Kearn and has three daughters and one son.

As mentioned, no other BYU coach has been announced to be joining Hill at Michigan although sources indicate both Whittingham and Hill aiming to bring BYU cornerbacks Coach Jenaro Gilford and special assistant Gary Andersen with him to Ann Arbor.

BYU’s search for a new defensive coordinator begins internally with Gilford being mentioned by sources as someone who is under strong consideration, along with BYU Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive ends Coach Kelly Poppinga. Names mentioned as potential hires outside of the BYU program includes USC defensive line Coach Shaun Nua, who is very close personally with Sitake, Florida State Defensive Coordinator Tony White, who recently joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and former Cal Head Coach Justin Wilcox.