It was touch-and-go in Provo when former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham turned his sights to BYU.
The new Michigan coach, who already cleared out most of Utah’s offensive staff, had plans to pick off some of BYU’s top defensive minds next.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake knew it was coming.
But it didn’t make it any less frightening.
“When [Whittingham takes a job], he has a network that he goes to for putting together a staff,” Sitake said. “That is how football works.”
In the end, Sitake limited the fallout.
Whittingham took defensive coordinator Jay Hill and cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford with him to Ann Arbor. Those are big losses, but things could have been worse.
Maybe most impressively, Sitake kept his entire offensive staff in place in the Whittingham aftermath. It was rumored that Utah, after its offensive coordinator left for Michigan, would pursue Aaron Roderick.
But BYU’s offensive coordinator stayed put and Utah had to settle for Utah State’s Kevin McGiven.
There could still be more staff changes in the coming days because of natural attrition and shuffling around to make room for new hires. Linebackers coach Justin Ena might be one of those losses.
But as for the Whttingham-related departures, Sitake only had two casualties.
These are the names I am looking at for defensive coordinator.
Retooling the roster
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars safety Faletau Satuala (11) looks to tackle Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Bryce Farrell (11) during a game last season.
Before BYU can add in the transfer portal, it has to deal with the losses.
The Cougars were bracing for some big names to possibly head east to Michigan to follow Hill.
But again, BYU has stayed strong in the transfer portal.
All of the star players on defense elected to stay put, including safety Faletau Satuala.
At the moment, the only player of note in the portal is backup quarterback McCae Hillstead.
A pro problem?
BYU center Abdullah Ahmed shoots a free throw against Eastern Washington during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
A little basketball before we go.
BYU started its Big 12 campaign much like an NBA team prepares for its stretch run in the regular season — by adding a key player to the roster.
Coach Kevin Young signed former G League player Abdullah Ahmed, who last played in the New York Knicks organization, to prepare for an NCAA Tournament run.
It has generated plenty of criticism from coaches like Arkansas’ John Calipari and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo.
Young defended his move, saying it might actually be good for the sport.
Either way, BYU is out to a 13-1 start and ranked in the top 10 in the country. It just beat Kansas State on the road and will travel to Salt Lake to play Utah on Saturday.
Ahmed played 11 minutes against the Wildcats, scoring four points with two rebounds and two assists.