ESPN tabs Michigan DC Jay Hill as future head coach to watch

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Michigan football is hoping that it can hold onto its current coaching staff for some time as new head coach Kyle Whittingham revamps the program following two years under Sherrone Moore. But keeping the band together might be something of a difficult task.

With two hotshot coordinators now in Ann Arbor, some pundits think that the Wolverines may have had the best fortune in hiring leaders for both sides of the ball of any team in college football. Thus, when other teams start to have some openings, it's those coordinators that some programs are keeping their eyes on.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg put together a list of names to watch for future head coaching jobs, and Michigan defensive coordinator Jay Hill was one of them.

Jay Hill, Michigan Wolverines defensive coordinator: If Sitake had left BYU for Penn State, Hill would have been a top candidate to replace him in Provo. Hill led Weber State to a 68-39 record and four Big Sky championships in between assistant stops at Utah and BYU. The 51-year-old has coached defense, offense and special teams, and now leaves his home state for the first time for a high-profile opportunity at Michigan. If he delivers there, he should generate interest to lead FBS programs. Hill had a heart attack before the 2024 season but has recovered and had no interruptions in his work.

It's somewhat surprising that offensive coordinator Jason Beck wasn't listed, as he's taken both the New Mexico and Utah offenses to soaring new heights, with both having reached No. 4 in total offense and No. 2 in rushing offense each of the past two years. Plus, he's a youthful presence, which has taken much of the coaching world by storm.

But, given Hill's past experience of being a head coach, coupled with him being rather young at 51 years old, it wouldn't surprise to see him want another crack at a head job at a bigger school should he have success in Ann Arbor this year.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: ESPN tabs Michigan DC Jay Hill as future head coach to watch

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