On January 2, 2026, it was announced that defensive coordinator and safeties coach Jay Hill would depart to take the same position at the University of Michigan.[1] The next day, defensive pass game coordinator and longtime cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford would follow Hill to help coach the Wolverines.[2] On January 8, 2026, defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga was promoted to be the new defensive coordinator, while defensive tackles coach Sione Po'uha was promoted to associate head coach, replacing Hill in that role. Demario Warren was also hired from Boise State as the new defensive pass game coordinator, and initially also as cornerbacks coach to replace Gilford.[3] However, nearly a month later, Lewis Walker was hired away from North Dakota State to coach the cornerbacks, while Warren was assigned to oversee the safeties. That same day, BYU announced the promotions of Justin Ena to special teams coordinator, and senior defensive analyst Chad Kuaha'aha'a to outside linebackers coach. Poppinga and Po'uha's positional coaching roles were also further defined and adjusted, with Po'uha now overseeing the entire defensive line and Poppinga moving to coach the inside linebackers.[4]
