Jay Hill, the all-time winningest football coach in Weber State history, is open to returning to a head coaching position, according to recent developments following his departure from the program. Hill, who led the Wildcats through nine seasons before joining BYU as an associate head coach and defensive coordinator, left Ogden as the school's leader in coaching victories.
A Legacy of Success in Ogden
Hill's tenure at Weber State was marked by significant program transformation and consistent success. During his nine seasons from 2014 to 2021, he achieved eight consecutive winning seasons and secured four Big Sky Conference Championships between 2017 and 2020. His career record at Weber State stands at 68-39 overall, maintaining a .636 winning percentage, which is the second-highest in school history. He also holds the school's best winning percentage in Big Sky Conference play at 50-19 (.725).
Record-Breaking Achievements
The Wildcats achieved several historic milestones under Hill's leadership. In 2017, the team won a school-record 11 games and reached the top five in national rankings, the highest in program history. During that same year, Hill was named the Utah Coach of the Year as part of the Governor’s State of Sport Awards. His coaching also resulted in significant postseason success, including six FCS Playoff appearances and a trip to the FCS Playoff semifinals in 2019, marking the first time in school history the Wildcats reached that stage.
Player Development and Honors
Hill's impact extended to individual player development and academic success. He coached 16 players to All-America honors a total of 26 times during his tenure. Under his direction, the Wildcats earned 91 Big Sky All-Conference honors and received multiple Academic All-Big Sky honors. One notable player, Josh Davis, won the Jerry Rice Award as the National Freshman of the Year during Hill's tenure.
Transition to BYU
The departure of Hill in December 2022 signaled a new era for the Wildcats. Following his announcement that he had accepted a position as associate head coach and defensive coordinator at BYU, Weber State Athletics began a national search for his successor. During the 2022 season, Hill led the team to a 10-3 record and an advancement to the second round of the FCS Playoffs, a season highlighted by a 35-7 victory over Utah State.
The BYU Connection
Hill's move to BYU brought him to the coaching staff of head coach Kalani Sitake. Sitake, who has served as the BYU head coach since 2016, has led the Cougars to four 10-win seasons and holds a career record of 90-46. Sitake, a former professional player for the Cincinnati Bengals, was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
Long-Term Impact
As Hill considers future head coaching opportunities, he leaves behind a program that saw dramatic statistical improvements. Since his arrival in 2014, the Wildcats moved from a 2-10 record in his first season to becoming a nationally ranked program that reached as high as second in the nation in 2021.
Current Program Status
The current coaching landscape at Weber State continues with Eric Kjar, who has led the team through the 2026 season with a 5-4-0 record. Hill's historical dominance in the Big Sky Conference remains a benchmark for the program's football operations.
