Michigan coaching staff update: Jay Hill, Beck, others joining

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The Michigan football coaching staff is changing in a hurry, with new head coach Kyle Whittingham's choices to come to Ann Arbor starting to be unofficially announced.

On Thursday morning, Whittingham confirmed on ESPN that he has hired offensive coordinator Jason Beck, as Utah assistants Micah Simon, Koy Detmer Jr., and Freddie Whittingham all were revealed as expected to follow to Ann Arbor, as well. But the big fish still remained on the hook, albeit not reeled in.

There has been a lot of excitement this week that Michigan would be able to close on BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill, but there was some hope in Provo that he wouldn't depart the state of Utah. However, ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Hill will be joining Whittingham's staff in Ann Arbor, taking over for Wink Martindale, who spent two years leading the defense.

A former cornerback at Utah, Hill got his start as a grad assistant with his alma mater while Urban Meyer was the head coach. When Whittingham got the head post, he elevated Hill to cornerbacks and special teams coach. He remained special teams coach but alternated in stints from corners to tight ends, back to cornerbacks, to running backs, and back to tight ends again. Hill then served as the head coach of Weber State from 2014-22, where he had a 68-39 record. BYU hired him as the defensive coordinator in 2023, his first time solely overseeing a defense.

While in Provo, Hill had the No. 109 defense (2023), No. 13 (2024). and No. 35 this past season. He is thought of as one of the rising defensive coordinators in the country, and he did not allow any team to eclipse 500 yards of offense this season. Only three had more than 400 yards, and six of the Cougars' opponents had under 300 yards.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football adds Jay Hill as Whittingham staff takes shape

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