In Dec. 2024, BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake was rewarded with a long-term contract extension for leading the team to one of its best seasons. The news alone had Cougar fans buzzing, and let’s just say it wasn’t for nothing.
Sitake has maintained high standards as the BYU coach, retaining his entire coaching staff. In college football, where turnover is almost expected after a standout season, keeping a coaching unit intact is no small feat. However, he also has one person to lean on- Jernaro Gilford, who can be named Sitake’s crown jewel.
Jernaro Gilford Stays in BYU’s Kalani Sitake-Led Masterclass Offseason
Expectations are high for BYU heading into the 2025 season. The Cougars had a stellar 11-2 campaign in 2024. Now considered one of the best in program history, they look forward to a breakthrough season.
Amid all, it might be easy to overlook that Sitake pulled off something rare: he kept his entire coaching staff intact. The 100 percent continuity is no small win, especially considering other programs pursued several assistants.
Among the most sought-after was defensive backs coach Jernaro Gilford, the defensive passing coordinator. Gilford reportedly turned down multiple offers to stay in Provo, and keeping him required more than just loyalty. On Feb. 7, Sitake promoted him to defensive passing game coordinator with a huge pay raise.
Rob Daniel, a former BYU defensive back who recently retired from the NFL and CFL, shared how important Jernaro Gilford is to the program. Daniel returned to Provo last fall as a volunteer assistant coach.
Former BYU star says this man is the most valuable coach on BYU’s staff
Story from @drewjay https://t.co/AhSUGxO5tf
— Deseret News Sports (@desnewssports) May 19, 2025
“BYU is so blessed to have a man like (Jernaro Gilford) who has been there for nine years. He should be there for the next 20,” said Daniel.
In 2024, Gilford helped create one of the nation’s top pass defenses, which led in interceptions. The Broyles Award nominee in 2023 is quickly becoming one of the most respected minds in college football.
However, Gilford isn’t precisely an outsider on the BYU football field. Surprisingly, the former cornerback has deep roots with the Cougars as he suited up for 37 games, starting 28 and tallying 10 career interceptions in his four-year run from 1999 to 2003.
His breakout season came in 2001 when he earned first-team All-Mountain West honors and sealed BYU’s dramatic 24-21 win over rival Utah with a 50-yard interception return. Gilford graduated from BYU in 2004 with a degree in sociology.
Gilford joined BYU as a coach in 2016 and has never looked back since. As a coach, he is credited with seven interceptions in 2024 that came from cornerbacks, including three more from Jakob Robinson. This gives him 11 for his career and ranks him No. 2 at BYU since 2000.
In 2023, two players ranked in the top 20 in interceptions, while the pass defense in 2024 surrendered 182.5 yards per game.
Undoubtedly, Gilford has established himself as a key piece in BYU football’s history, and it’s only a matter of time till we see more accomplishments coming his way.
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