Surprising Coaching Connection AJ Hill's Uncle Made Before He Was Born

Quarterback's uncle played ball with his future position coach — and nobody connected the dots until Fayetteville.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:03am

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Arkansas quarterback AJ Hill's decision to follow his Memphis coaches to the Razorbacks has revealed an unexpected connection between Hill and his new position coach, Mitch Stewart. It turns out that Stewart and Hill's uncle, Derrick Hill, were teammates at Valdosta State in the early 2000s, long before Hill was born. This serendipitous connection has added an extra layer of meaning to their relationship as coach and player.

Why it matters

The story highlights the small world of college football, where connections and relationships can stretch back further than anyone realizes. It also shows the value of continuity and trust between a quarterback and his position coach, which Hill has been able to maintain by following his Memphis coaches to Arkansas.

The details

AJ Hill, a highly-recruited quarterback from Georgia, chose to sign with Memphis over offers from top programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Florida. When Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield took the Arkansas job, Hill decided to follow him and his offensive staff, including position coach Mitch Stewart. It was only then that they discovered the unexpected connection - Stewart and Hill's uncle Derrick had been teammates at Valdosta State years earlier.

  • In the early 2000s, Mitch Stewart and Derrick Hill were teammates at Valdosta State.
  • In 2024, Stewart was a senior offensive analyst at Memphis.
  • In 2025, Stewart was promoted to quarterbacks coach at Memphis.
  • After the 2025 season, Stewart accepted a wide receivers coach position at South Alabama.
  • In 2026, when an opening for a quarterbacks coach arose at Arkansas, Silverfield reached out to Hill to get his thoughts on Stewart.

The players

AJ Hill

A highly-recruited quarterback from Georgia who signed with Memphis and followed his coaches to Arkansas.

Mitch Stewart

The new quarterbacks coach at Arkansas, who previously coached AJ Hill at Memphis. Stewart and Hill's uncle Derrick were teammates at Valdosta State in the early 2000s.

Derrick Hill

AJ Hill's uncle, who played defensive line at Valdosta State in the early 2000s alongside Mitch Stewart.

Ryan Silverfield

The head coach at Arkansas, who previously coached AJ Hill at Memphis and brought several of his assistants, including Mitch Stewart, with him to the Razorbacks.

KJ Jackson

AJ Hill's competition for the starting quarterback job at Arkansas.

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What they’re saying

“At the end of the day it is just going to be based on who can make the throws and the correct reads at the right time.”

— AJ Hill, Quarterback

“I am real comfortable with the offense. I am not going to say I am a master of it yet, but I got it down pretty good. I am really just trying to hone in on the protection part of it and I got the routes, we just have to get the timing right on a couple of more things then I will be good.”

— AJ Hill, Quarterback

“A couple of days later, he was like Coach Mitch is going to be the guy. As soon as I heard it I called Coach Mitch and he sounded like he was crying tears of joy so I am glad to be back with my guy.”

— AJ Hill, Quarterback

“I know his family really well, but let me say this: I did not play, his uncle played. I was a clipboard holder, I was a really good backup quarterback, like a really good one. You wanted to do a drill, I could do a drill. I was a freshman and he was an upperclassman.”

— Mitch Stewart, Quarterbacks Coach

“That did not play a role, but it just goes back to say with Georgia football this is all connections and relationships. Building those relationships over the past year and just to be with a guy like Coach Mitch from him playing with my uncle at Valdosta, it means a lot.”

— AJ Hill, Quarterback

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.