23FTB PRAC 3-15 0071 23FTB PRAC 3-15 March 15, 2023 Photography by Nate Edwards/BYU © BYU PHOTO 2020 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322
Jay Hill was hired in 2022 after another year for the Cougars where the defense struggled to make plays. Coach Hill has made an impact on the Cougars so far with the new coaching staff. He was seen implementing a new defensive scheme in spring ball. Coach has also brought in some big transfer recruits for the Cougars. He is also attracting big names who have yet to play a down of college football. BYU hasn’t been known to attack the transfer portal and bring in big names and now they have brought in some big players to help shape this team ahead of the 2023 season.
Jay Hill
Jay Hill is coming in with 22 years of experience, the last nine at Weber State as Head Coach. This past season the Wildcats went 10-3 and went on to the second round of the FCS playoffs. On the defensive side, they have been in the top 30 in the FCS. As the Head Coach of Weber State he had 68 wins, eight Straight winning Seasons, six FCS Playoff appearances, four Big Sky Championships, and four 10-win Seasons.
He spent 13 years with Utah and played for Ricks Junior College as a Cornerback. He then played two years at Utah under Coach McBride. Hill then played in the XFL and then with the Bills and the Giants.
Defensive Coaching Staff
- Defensive Ends- Kelly Poppinga
- Tackles- Sione Po’uha
- Linebackers- Justin Ena
- Safeties- Jay Hill
- Cornerbacks- Jernaro Gilford
Defensive Scheme
This scheme is a lot different from what Cougar fans have been used to seeing the past seven years. It will be a 4-3 front with tons of pressure, man coverage and sometimes you will see five defensive backs on the field. This new defense will be great for the Big 12 as well as the offense at BYU. A lot of the Big 12 teams play with a pass heavy offense and defenses who are constantly rushing the quarterback. BYU fans should expect to see more sacks, more interceptions, and more pass break ups with this defense.
The new defense was basically installed this spring so this fall you will see more work that is geared toward each opponent and plays to the strengths of the personal on the field. The dept chart is also shaping up nicely with many of the players last season buying into this bigger, stronger, faster defense who is ready to play come game days and not lost by the end of the first half.
A lot of this new scheme also brought a new feel to spring ball as there was more live work and more tackling not just seeing where they could make that hit. The spring game wasn’t live much but of what we did get to see this defense is ready to attack this upcoming inaugural Big 12 season.
Recruiting/Transfer Portal
- Isaiah Bagnah Edge
- Jackson Cravens DL
- Wyatt Dawe DL
- Nuuletau Sellesin DL
- Eddie Heckard DB
- Dylan Flowers DB
- AJ Vongphachanh LB
These are the ones who just transferred in on defense this doesn’t mention the big names that came into the offensive side of the ball. A couple played for Jay Hill at Weber State and others have played against BYU in the past couple of years. These players are talented and are ready to show Cougar Nation that they can help BYU win ball games.
This is just what Hill and his coaching staff brought in this season and also many high school recruits who will be coming in the next few seasons. Look for the defense to bring in more stars over the next few years and then put many more in the NFL. The coaching staff has already many players who they coached playing or had played at the next level.
