Kyle Whittingham was named the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines after 21 years with Utah. The Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10 and asked Biff Poggi to serve as interim coach. After a long search, they found Whittingham a good fit for the job just in time for the recruiting season.
After being hired, Whittingham is searching for a new defensive coordinator, and Jay Hill’s name is drawing attention.
Is Kyle Whittingham’s Former Assistant Jay Hill Going to Michigan?
According to CBS Sports, Michigan and Kyle Whittingham are planning to hire Jay Hill as their next defensive coordinator. Hill had an incredible season with the BYU Cougars as a defensive coordinator, overseeing a top-25 scoring defense.
That said, no official agreement has been announced yet, and Hill remains under contract with BYU for now.
The relationship between Jay Hill and Kyle Whittingham runs deep. Under the current Michigan head coach, Hill served as a longtime assistant at Utah (2001–2013), working in various roles, including cornerbacks coach and special teams coach. He is noted for his contribution in making BYU one of the strongest defensive programs in the Big 12.
Whittingham, meanwhile, has struck a five-year deal with Michigan to become their 22nd head coach. In his first formal interaction, the head coach emphasized putting relationships and culture at the center of his coaching style. He looks forward to spending time with players, understanding them and gaining their trust so that he don’t lose them in the transfer portal.
“Immediate priorities — roster retention,” Whittingham said. “You (have to) meet with these young men. In this day and age in college football, the transfer portal is opening up in about five days. That is absolutely job one, is to make sure that I get in front of these young men and tell them what I’m all about, find out what they’re all about. And that would go for the incoming recruits as well. Gotta get on the phone, they’re not here physically yet, but get on the phone with the class that we just signed.”
Whittingham won’t be the Wolverines’ coach for their upcoming Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas.
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