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Michigan Football's New Defensive Coordinator Outlines Aggressive Approach
Jay Hill promises a disruptive, attacking defense that will challenge offenses in the Big Ten
Feb. 11, 2026 at 10:55am
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After two years with Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator, the University of Michigan has hired Jay Hill to lead their defense. Hill, who previously served as the defensive coordinator at BYU, outlined his aggressive, attacking philosophy that will aim to stop the run and pressure the quarterback in unpredictable ways.
Why it matters
Michigan’s defense has struggled at times over the past few seasons, so the hiring of Hill signals a shift towards a more aggressive, disruptive approach that could help the Wolverines become one of the top defensive units in the Big Ten conference.
The details
Hill said his defense will focus on stopping the run first and foremost, but will do so by lining up in different spots to confuse offenses. He plans to use a variety of blitzes and stunts to attack weaknesses in the opposing team’s scheme and personnel. Hill acknowledged his defensive system is one of the most complex in the country, requiring extensive time for the players to fully learn and execute.
- Hill was previously the defensive coordinator at BYU for the past four seasons.
- He was hired as Michigan’s new defensive coordinator in February 2026.
The players
Jay Hill
The new defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan football team, previously served in the same role at BYU where his defenses were among the nation’s best.
Wink Martindale
The previous defensive coordinator at Michigan, who held that position for the past two seasons.
What they’re saying
“Attacking. And that means so many different things. First and foremost, you got to stop the run. But we want to stop the run by being in different spots that the offense doesn’t know where we’re at. I don’t want O-linemen teeing off on our D-linemen. So we’re going to play straight up sometimes.”
— Jay Hill, Defensive Coordinator, University of Michigan (In The Trenches)
“We’re going to stun. We’re going to blitz. And we want to attack weaknesses of players. We want to attack weaknesses in scheme. But I don’t want [the] quarterback sitting back in the pocket knowing where we’re at. I don’t want them run checking and getting their best runs always to where we’re weak.”
— Jay Hill, Defensive Coordinator, University of Michigan (In The Trenches)
What’s next
Hill and the Michigan coaching staff will spend the entire offseason implementing the new defensive scheme and getting the players fully up to speed before the start of the 2026 season.
The takeaway
By hiring the experienced and aggressive Jay Hill as their new defensive coordinator, Michigan is signaling a shift towards a more disruptive and unpredictable defensive approach that could help the Wolverines become one of the top units in the Big Ten conference.
