Michigan Unveils New 'Attacking' Defense Under Coordinator Jay Hill

Hill aims to make life difficult for opposing offenses with a versatile, aggressive scheme

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The University of Michigan football program has hired former BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill to lead its defense in a new era under head coach Kyle Whittingham. Hill outlined his philosophy of an 'attacking' defense that will aim to stop the run, pressure the quarterback, and exploit weaknesses in opposing offenses through various looks and blitzes.

Why it matters

Michigan's defense has been a strength of the program in recent years, but Hill's aggressive approach represents a shift from the more conservative schemes used previously. This could help the Wolverines regain their status as one of the top defensive units in the Big Ten and nationally.

The details

Hill said his defense will focus on stopping the run first, but will use a variety of tactics like stunts, blitzes, and aligning players in unpredictable ways to keep offenses off balance. He inherits a talented defensive line led by Enow Etta and Trey Pierce, as well as a young but promising linebacking corps. In the secondary, the return of players like Rod Moore and Shug Bentley should bolster the Wolverines' coverage abilities.

  • Hill was hired as Michigan's new defensive coordinator in January 2026.
  • Spring practice is set to begin in the coming weeks as Hill installs his new defensive system.

The players

Jay Hill

The new defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan, previously served in the same role at BYU where his defenses were among the best in the country.

Enow Etta

One of the top defensive tackles in college football, expected to anchor Michigan's defensive line under Hill's new scheme.

Trey Pierce

Another standout defensive tackle who will be a key part of Michigan's defensive front seven.

Rod Moore

A defensive back who missed time last season but is expected to return and play a major role in the secondary.

Shug Bentley

A talented cornerback who Hill is excited about, citing his potential to be an 'elite' player in the new defense.

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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. We're going to play straight up sometimes. We're going to stunt. We're going to blitz. And we want to attack weaknesses of players. We want to attack weaknesses in scheme.”

— Jay Hill, Defensive Coordinator, University of Michigan (on3.com)

What’s next

With spring practice approaching, Hill will have the opportunity to evaluate the talent on Michigan's defense and continue implementing his new aggressive scheme.

The takeaway

Jay Hill's 'attacking' defensive philosophy represents a significant shift for Michigan, moving away from the more conservative approaches of the past. If executed properly, this could help the Wolverines regain their status as one of the top defensive teams in the Big Ten and nationally.