Michigan hires offensive, defensive coordinators amid coaching staff overhaul
Jason Beck and Jay Hill will join new head coach Kyle Whittingham at Michigan after working with Whittingham at previous stops.
Kyle Whittingham’s makeover of the Michigan coaching staff is almost complete.
Michigan announced the hiring of offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill on Friday, confirming two moves that had been in the works since Whittingham was hired a week ago as Michigan’s head coach.
Beck spent the 2025 season as Whittingham’s offensive coordinator at Utah and helped the Utes climb from No. 115 in the FBS in total offense to No. 4. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, who played for Beck the previous season at New Mexico, threw for 2,490 yards, rushed for 835 and accounted for 34 touchdowns. The Lobos and Utes finished No. 2 in the FBS in rushing with Beck calling plays.
“Jason Beck is an exceptional leader with a proven track record as a developer of quarterbacks and a creative play caller,” Whittingham said in a statement. “He’s an innovative coach, constantly finding ways to challenge defenses through an efficient, balanced attack — whether on the ground or through the air.”
Official: Give a warm welcome to Jason Beck, our new Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator!
🗞️ https://t.co/Q7N8okYzjG pic.twitter.com/0LnFGDXlWP
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 2, 2026
Hill comes to Michigan after spending the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at BYU. The Cougars led the FBS with 22 interceptions in 2024 and were seventh in 2025 with 17. Hill, who spent the previous nine seasons at Weber State, took over a defense that ranked No. 94 in the FBS and produced a top-15 unit in 2024. BYU was No. 35 in total defense in 2025, allowing 332.4 yards per game.
Hill spent 12 seasons on Whittingham’s staff at Utah before accepting the head coaching job at Weber State in 2014.
“Jay Hill is a great leader and one of the sharpest defensive minds in the game,” Whittingham said in a statement. “His competitive nature and commitment to excellence will help us forge a disciplined, tough defense that prides itself on physicality. Jay has the ability to consistently put players in the best position to succeed and make plays.”
Official: Give a warm welcome to Jay Hill, our new Lester Family Defensive Coordinator!
🗞️ https://t.co/bRJ1kjEdS8 pic.twitter.com/nu5v5Y1bJP
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 2, 2026
Several other coaches from Utah are expected to join Whittingham’s staff at Michigan. The targets include offensive line coach Jim Harding, a longtime Whittingham assistant, and wide receivers coach Micah Simon, who also coached with Beck at New Mexico. ESPN reported that Lewis Powell, who coached defensive ends under Whittingham at Utah, is expected to join Michigan’s staff, and a team source confirmed Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito will be part of the new staff as well.