What's Happening?
Kalani Sitake, the head coach of BYU football, has seen significant turnover among his assistant coaches over the years. Many of these former assistants have moved on to various roles across the country. For instance, Jay Hill, who served as BYU's defensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025, has joined Michigan as their defensive coordinator. Jernaro Gilford, a cornerbacks coach from 2016 to 2025, also moved to Michigan to join Hill's staff. Steve Clark, who coached tight ends at BYU from 2016 to 2023, has transitioned to an academic coordinator role at Utah Tech. Darrell Funk, who was the offensive line coach from 2021 to 2023, is now at Indiana State University. Other notable moves include Ilaisa Tuiaki, who is now the defensive line coach at Oregon
State, and Ed Lamb, who is the head coach at Northern Colorado. These transitions highlight the dynamic nature of coaching careers in college football.
Why It's Important?
The movement of assistant coaches from BYU to other programs reflects broader trends in college football, where coaching staff changes can significantly impact team performance and recruitment. These shifts can influence the strategic direction of the programs involved, as new coaches bring different philosophies and techniques. For BYU, the departure of experienced assistants could pose challenges in maintaining continuity and performance. Conversely, the programs acquiring these coaches, like Michigan and Oregon State, may benefit from fresh perspectives and expertise. This turnover also underscores the competitive nature of college football coaching, where career advancement often involves moving between institutions.
What's Next?
As these former BYU assistants settle into their new roles, their impact on their respective programs will become clearer. For BYU, the focus will be on how the current coaching staff adapts and fills the gaps left by these departures. The success of these transitions will depend on the ability of new hires to integrate into the team and maintain or improve performance levels. Additionally, the performance of these coaches in their new roles will be closely watched, as it could influence future career opportunities and the overall reputation of BYU's coaching tree.
