Jay Hill Creating Elite Defense At Michigan

Defensive coordinator Jay Hill did a lot with less while at BYU over the last three seasons. During his first year as the DC in Provo, Hill took it on the chin a bit with his defense coming in at No. 99 in points allowed in the country. But in 2024 and 2024, his units were in the top 20. That kind of success is what's expected at Michigan and Hill might not have as many bumps in the road in Ann Arbor because of what he's starting with.

At BYU, it's more about development. Recruiting is tough at a private research university located Utah, which is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But Hill and Co. were able to get guys they liked, develop them and turn them into serviceable players.

At Michigan, it's a completely different story. Hill and the other assistants can go after just about anybody and put a very talented product on the field. Because of that, Hill has seen some good stuff through 13 practices.

"I really like the physicality with the ones and the way they're executing," Hill said. "I see a defensive front that can be stout. I see DBs that can cover. I see linebackers that have really picked up the scheme that's pretty complicated. Those guys are doing a good job.

Hill describes his own defense as pretty complicated but as long as he has smart players, that's a good thing. It can be very difficult for an offense to attack a defense when there are so many moving parts. Hill's defenses are known for multiple fronts, disguised coverages, pre-snap movement and a level of physicality. His defenses have also typically gotten after the quarterback in a variety of ways and he makes sure that guys can play fast and tackle well. He's been able to achieve those things by coaching a certain way, and players really seem to respond to it.

"So my coaching style through is upbeat, energetic," he said. "I love the game. I love being around the players. I love to see the improvement as far as game time adjustments go, I think 90% of them are already thought out beforehand. If we're doing this and they're getting us a little bit, then we can go to this. And so 90% of the adjustments are already made in my head. We go into every situation with multiple calls, and so if something's not working, we have things to fall back on right away."

Part of what gives Hill so many tools in his tool box is how he's been able to study defense under and around head coach Kyle Whittingham for so long. It's going to be Hill making the calls on Saturdays, but Whittingham's fingerprints are all over that side of the ball.

"I've watched this defense over the last 25 years," Hill explained. "I saw the adjustments that Coach Whittingham made when he was the D-coordinator, and the tweaks and changes. Most of the time, we've already been through something similar, and you try not to reinvent the wheel in the heat of the moment. You got to stick to the basics and do stuff to get the players settled down into things they already know."