In just his second year as associate head coach and defensive coordinator Jay Hill has helped lead BYU football from a 5-7 record in 2023 to a 10-2 record, a tie for first place in the Big 12 and No. 19 national ranking in 2024, despite the Cougars playing ESPN’s No. 8 ranked in the ESPN Football Power Index strength of record metrics. Hill’s defense leads the FBS in total interceptions with 18 and has the third best team passing defense rating of 99.04. The Cougars are fifth in team passing efficiency defense (102.9) and seventh in turnover gained (23). Two BYU defensive backs (Jakob Robinson and Tanner Wall) are tied for sixth in the Big 12 in interceptions (3 each), while linebacker Isaiah Glasker is second in the conference in tackles for loss (12.5) and Marque Collins is ninth in pass breakups (9). In addition, Wall is a candidate for Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.