### Michigan's Coaching Shake-Up: Jay Hill's Potential Move from BYU - The college football landscape is experiencing significant changes as Michigan's new head coach, Kyle Whittingham, is reportedly set to hire BYU's defensive coordinator, Jay Hill. This move comes shortly after Whittingham's appointment at Michigan, which has led to speculation about the future of BYU's coaching staff, particularly under head coach Kalani Sitake. Hill has been with BYU since 2023 and has made a notable impact on their defense during his tenure [https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/12/30/byu-football-jay-hill-replace-kalani-sitake-michigan-defensive-coordinator-nua]. ### Breakdown of the Coaching Transition 1. **Whittingham's Hiring at Michigan**: - Kyle Whittingham's transition from Utah to Michigan has initiated a series of coaching changes, with a focus on building a strong staff [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/report-jay-hill-leaving-byu-165121698.html]. 2. **Jay Hill's Expected Departure**: - Reports indicate that Jay Hill is a leading candidate for the defensive coordinator position at Michigan, which would leave a vacancy at BYU [https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-is-reportedly-very-close-to-hiring-its-next-defensive-coordinator-jay-hill]. 3. **Impact on BYU's Coaching Staff**: - The potential loss of Hill could lead to significant changes within BYU's coaching staff, prompting speculation about who might fill the defensive coordinator role if Hill departs [https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2025/12/26/kyle-whittingham-michigan-reports]. 4. **Candidates to Replace Hill**: - As Hill's departure seems imminent, discussions are already underway regarding potential candidates to take over his position at BYU [https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/12/30/byu-football-jay-hill-replace-kalani-sitake-michigan-defensive-coordinator-nua]. ### Supporting Evidence of Coaching Changes - **Timeline of Events**: - December 26, 2025: Reports emerge about Whittingham's move to Michigan and its implications for BYU [https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2025/12/26/kyle-whittingham-michigan-reports]. - December 28, 2025: Multiple sources confirm that Michigan is close to hiring Jay Hill as their defensive coordinator [https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-is-reportedly-very-close-to-hiring-its-next-defensive-coordinator-jay-hill]. - December 30, 2025: Speculation about potential replacements for Hill at BYU begins to circulate [https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/12/30/byu-football-jay-hill-replace-kalani-sitake-michigan-defensive-coordinator-nua]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for BYU and Michigan Football - **Key Findings**: 1. **Whittingham's Influence**: The hiring of Kyle Whittingham at Michigan is a catalyst for significant coaching changes, particularly affecting BYU [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/report-jay-hill-leaving-byu-165121698.html]. 2. **Hill's Departure**: Jay Hill is poised to leave BYU for Michigan, which will create a vacancy that BYU must address promptly [https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-is-reportedly-very-close-to-hiring-its-next-defensive-coordinator-jay-hill]. 3. **Future Implications**: The coaching shifts could have long-term effects on both programs, influencing recruitment and team performance in the upcoming seasons [https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/12/30/byu-football-jay-hill-replace-kalani-sitake-michigan-defensive-coordinator-nua]. This coaching transition marks a significant moment in college football, with potential ramifications for both BYU and Michigan as they navigate these changes.