Kyle Whttingham Targeting Top Defensive Coach For Michigan Staff

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Kyle Whttingham Targeting Top Defensive Coach For Michigan Staff

By all accounts, former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham will be the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines and is already identifying top staffers.

Earlier today there were reports that Whittingham will be looking at bringing on Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck for the same role at Michigan. Now there are reports that Whittingham found his defensive coordinator too.

According to CBS's Matt Zenitz, BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill is among the "names of interest" for Whittingham at Michigan. Hill and Whittingham worked together at Utah for 13 years before Hill left to become the head coach at Weber State.

"BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill is expected to be among the names of interest for the Michigan DC job, sources tell @RJ_cfb and me. Hill, who has a longstanding relationship with Kyle Whittingham, has led the way as BYU is ranked 21st nationally in scoring defense," Zenitz wrote.

A realistic hire?

While Hill may be a "name to watch," fans are skeptical that he would be willing to accept a lateral move even if it was to reunite with his former boss and longtime friend.

"Not leaving BYU. Just got a huge extension and bonus," one user pointed out.

"He’s not leaving BYU until he’s a P4 HC, which should be in the next 1-2 seasons," another expects.

"LITERALLY ILEGAL DUE TO THE NO LATERAL MOVES CLAUSE IN HIS CONTRACT! Also Michigan already has atop tier DC under contract…" a third wrote.

BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 08: A Michigan football helmet sits on the field following a college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers on October 8, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Whittingham served as head coach of Utah from 2005 to 2025 and spent another 12 years as a top assistant on the program. He succeeded Urban Meyer at the end of the 2004 season and made his head coaching debut by knocking off Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl to finish the season ranked No. 4 in the nation.

Since then, Whittingham has delivered three conference titles, eight top-25 seasons (including No. 2 in the nation in 2008), and a school record 167 wins.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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