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(Photo: Mike Terry, Deseret News)PROVO -- Jaime Hill, BYU's defensive coordinator and secondary coach was fired on Saturday following BYU's loss to Utah State on Friday, giving the Cougars a 1-4 start to BYU's season, the worst start since 1973.
Hill, who was named BYU's defensive coordinator in 2008, came to BYU in 2006 with the departure of Brian Mitchell to Texas Tech. He worked as the secondary coach before being elevated to coordinator. Hill confirmed his dismissal on Saturday.
"I was fired, I didn't resign. I'm OK, I'll be fine," Hill said Saturday. "This is part of the business and it happens. It just doesn't usually happen in the middle of a season. I will join another team in a couple of weeks."
It is uncertain if head coach Bronco Mendenhall has made any other personnel moves over the weekend. An official press release from BYU is expected this weekend. On his post-game radio show on KSL Friday night, Mendenhall said he supported decisions his coaches had made in play-calling and trying to learn about the team and do what was right for the squad.
Hill was given the choice to resign or be fired, according to sources.
The Cougars have struggled both defensively and offensively this season, ranking among the nation's poorest rush defenses, scoring offenses and passing efficiency offenses.
The Cougars face San Diego State next Saturday in LaVell Edwards Stadium. Hill is a native of San Diego. Mendenhall worked as both head coach and defensive coordinator before hiring Hill.
Hill came to BYU from the Ottawa Renegades of the CFL. He worked with the Calgary Stampeders as secondary coach in 2003 and was the defensive coordinator at Humboldt State in 2001. He played football at Grossmont College and San Francisco State.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com
