Dec 14, 2013 06:16 AM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Jay Hill, a 38-year-old former Utah assistant for nine seasons, has been chosen as the 11^th head football coach for Wildcats. Hill from Lehi, Utah, replaces Jody Sears, who was let go after a dismal 4-19 record in his two seasons.

 "I am so excited to be here," Hill said. "And I'm excited to get out in the community, get our players out in the community and just serve - create a good product that people want to come to on Saturdays." according to Desert News 

Jerry Bovee, athletic director at the Weber State University, said that Hill had all the qualities they were looking for in a new coach.

"We wanted someone who was a proven and respected leader that would continue to build our program the right way with the right type of student athletes and who would do it with the utmost honesty (and) integrity," Bovee said.

At Utah, Hill served as special teams' coordinator and position coach for tight ends, running backs and cornerbacks. He was a graduate and administrative assistant from 2001-04.

 "Jay has done a great job for our program for a number of years in many capacities and we will miss him," Kyle Whittingham, head football coach of the University of Utah, said. "He is one of the top special teams coaches in the country and he is ready to become a head coach. We wish him all the best as he takes the next step in his coaching career."

During his athletic career, Hill was a star defensive back at Ricks College and Utah and played in XFL's Orlando Rage, and NFL'S Buffalo Bills and New York Giants.

Morgan Scalley, Utah safeties coach, said that Hill is an energetic person, brimming with great ideas. He was also a great recruiter for the Utes.

"He'll make a great head coach," said Utah safeties coach Morgan Scalley. "Jay is a guy with a ton of experience on both sides of the football, really in all three phases of the game - offense, defense and special teams."

 "We're going to miss him for a lot of different reasons. As good of a coach he is, he's an even better man," Scalley said. "I'm fired up for him and excited for the opportunity he has. Weber State is getting a heckuva coach."

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