New Michigan DC didn't hold back on why he left Utah for Ann Arbor

Two decades ago, Jay Hill was an assistant coach for the Utah Utes under Kyle Whittingham. Then, he went on to become a head coach for Weber State before being named as the BYU Cougars' defensive coordinator in 2023.

Now, after years of proving himself at a higher level, Whittingham has brought his former assistant back under his wing, naming Hill as the Michigan Wolverines' newest DC.

When Hill was asked about the move from BYU to Michigan, he couldn't have made the change look like a bigger upgrade if he tried.

Jay Hill has nothing but praise for Michigan and Whittingham

"The decision to come to Michigan was not hard at all. Coach Whitt called me and said, 'Hey, I think I have this opportunity. What do you think?' I said, 'Coach, I’m in, because it’s Michigan,'"

Hill was just with a team that competed for the Big 12 Championship and nearly reached the College Football Playoff, so it's not like he was never going to achieve greatness with the Cougars. However, BYU simply can't compare to Michigan.

"I believe we can win national championships here. I believe we can win consistent Big Ten championships here. With the way Coach Whitt coaches, his discipline and toughness, I just think it’s a perfect match for Michigan. I was in.

His praise for Whittingham was the cherry on top of his praise of the Wolverines' program. UMich has been through a lot over the last few years, and Whittingham's status as a well-regarded head coach is exactly what the program needs.

Also read: Michigan legacy recruit joins legendary Wolverine father's praise for Kyle Whittingham

Whittingham, Hill, and the Wolverines are set to kick off their 2026 campaign with a game against the Western Michigan Broncos on Sept. 5. Then, one week later, they'll have their first real test of the season as they look for revenge, hosting the Oklahoma Sooners.