Who could replace Jay Hill if he leaves for the Michigan Wolverines job?

Those are the main questions Kalani Sitake needs to answer if the Cougars are going to contend for a Big 12 title in 2026.

Orlando, FL • Kalani Sitake seemed resigned to what was to come.

After a two-year run that saw his program win 22 games, go to the Big 12 title game and flirt with the College Football Playoff, one of his top lieutenants could be on the move.

Michigan redshirt freshman Kyle Whittingham is rumored to be eyeing BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill as his top assistant in Ann Arbor. It would be one of the premier coordinator positions in college football and potentially a foot in the door for a head coaching job.

“It’s tough when you’re a head coach and you’re trying to keep things going,” Sitake said this week. “I think if you have a lot of coaches doing great things, [people] they will want them. … It’s hard because you put everything into it and then you’re like, ‘Well, man, I’ve got to keep doing it.'”

At least Sitake can take solace in the fact that his longtime mentor, LaVell Edwards, also had to deal with a change of assistants.

“He had Mike Holmgren and he brought it to life by and Norm Chow, Andy Reid. All those guys were on the staff,” Sitake said. “That’s college football, really.

But now begins a long offseason for Sitake to rebuild a program looking for a playoff push.

He will have more resources than ever to bring her to life according to his vision. The long-term deal guaranteed more cash for his other employees. But this will likely be the most important choice Sitake has made since joining the Big 12.

Hill was by his side for all three years in the Power Four and turned BYU’s prospects around in recruiting and on the field. He flipped key players like Faletau Satuala and Keanu Tanuvasa from Utah. When Hill arrived in Provo, the Utes dominated the state’s recruiting grounds. This year, BYU signed a top-25 recruiting class and landed five of Utah’s top-10 recruits.

It wasn’t all because of Hill. Money and belonging to a power conference definitely had a say. But Hill was undoubtedly a key factor. Just take Satual’s word for it.

“I mean the biggest thing was Jay Hill,” he said of picking the Cougars over the Utes.

Do I know where Sitake is going? Internally? Outwardly?

There are certainly options in his squad that would make sense. Special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga knows the defense and was the coordinator at Virginia under Bronco Mendenhall. Jernaro Gilford is perhaps the best position coach on the staff and has led BYU’s defensive backs for the better part of a decade. There was a reason Gilford was the only defensive staff Hill kept when he got the job.

But there’s also the possibility that Sitake could look outside the BYU coaching tree — much like Hill. It may be impossible to find someone with Hill’s resume – a decade as a head coach and a Whittingham pupil. But with more money, the job will be attractive.

Sitake has to fix it.

“I feel really good about what we have here,” Sitake said. “We’ll go with what we’ve got. Jay has been a big part of what we’ve done defensively the last two years.”

LJ’s decision?

The coaching staff might get an overhaul, but Sitake’s roster is also changing.

Running back LJ Martin, BYU’s top offensive player, will decide to return to BYU or head to the NFL.

Martin was a three-year starter and finished that season as the Big 12’s leading back. He rushed for 1,300 yards and over 200 carries.

“I hope he comes back,” Sitake said. “I think his decision is the NFL or he comes back to us for his last year.

If the Pop-Tarts Bowl win was any indication, BYU desperately needs him to return — and likely needs more reinforcements along with it.

Martin didn’t play after opting to have shoulder surgery, and in his absence, BYU kept trotting to see if any were effective. Enoch Nawahine barely cleared 30 yards. Jovesa Damuni, who offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick kept talking about, had the game-sealer with two minutes to play — but was still held to under 50 yards overall.

BYU has been plagued by a lack of depth at the position all season. When Martin played injured against Texas Tech, the Cougars’ offense stalled. That will have to change if BYU closes the gap on the Red Raiders next year.

And make no mistake, a playoff spot will likely go through Lubbock in the Big 12 next year.

Other staff

Additional attrition always occurs when the transfer portal opens. If Hill goes to Michigan, could he take star linebacker Isaiah Glasker with him? What about Satuala?

BYU is already losing teammate Jack Kelly to graduation, and Tanner Wall is also on the way out.

Additionally, BYU likely needs to add another wide receiver. Chase Roberts’ career is over and BYU has lacked explosiveness in the receiving room as it is. Parker Kingston could be the best receiver next year, but he hasn’t been a real threat downfield. JoJo Phillips was expected to make the jump, but he’s been sore for the better part of this season.

All of these needs come with Texas Tech in mind. The Red Raiders have a ton of receivers and arguably the best defensive line in the country.

BYU knows it will have to make up for it and minimize the talent gap.

Sitake has the resources he asked for.

Now construction begins.