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- Jernaro Gilford has been promoted to BYU's defensive Passing Game Coordinator.
- Gilford's coaching helped BYU lead the nation in interceptions in 2024.
- His strategic role and influence in BYU's defensive success are widely recognized.
rPROVO — For nearly a decade, Jernaro Gilford has been one of the favorite figures on BYU's coaching staff.
Known first as a lockdown corner during his playing days and later as a dynamic recruiter and mentor, Gilford has helped mold BYU's secondary into one of the nation's most productive units. But this offseason, Gilford's role — and reputation — took a major step forward.
After a standout 2024 season for the Cougars defense, BYU defensive coordinator and associate head coach Jay Hill officially promoted Gilford to defensive Passing game coordinator, expanding his responsibilities to include oversight of the team's pass defense strategy while continuing to coach cornerbacks.
The move signals a broader recognition of Gilford's transformation from technician and recruiter to strategist, analyst and schemer — a transition that hasn't gone unnoticed by head coach Kalani Sitake or Hill.
"Jernaro has proven himself as one of the top secondary coaches in the country," Hill said. "Last year, he helped us field one of the nation's best pass defenses and lead the country in interceptions. He absolutely deserves this opportunity. Jernaro makes our team better every single day, and I'm proud to have him on our staff."
A coach who's evolved
For years, Gilford was often labeled as a recruiter — a pipeline builder who could relate to players and prepare them technically.
Due to his relatability and dynamic personality, he has been able to recruit and retain year-over-year a defensive back room that competes with the best of college football. Within the program, his football IQ and growing influence on scheme has begun to stand out to both Sitake and HIll.
"I've been fortunate to work under the best head coach in college football in Kalani Sitake," Gilford said. "And these last two years have been a major blessing under coach Hill, learning to see the game in new ways and preparing for this opportunity."
Gilford, who enters his 10th season on Sitake's staff in 2025, first returned to BYU in 2016.
A former All-MWC cornerback from 1999-03, he's always brought credibility to the position. But his real impact began to show as BYU transitioned to Big 12 competition — a leap that required not just better athletes but smarter, more adaptive defensive concepts.
Results that speak for themselves
The numbers support Gilford's promotion. In 2023, BYU finished:
- No. 3 nationally in opponent passer efficiency (105.91)
- No. 20 in passing yards allowed (182.5 yards per game)
- No. 16 in passing touchdowns allowed (13)
- No. 19 in passes defended (68)
- No. 18 in scoring defense (19.6 points per game, best in the Big 12)
- No. 13 in total defense (308.8 yards per game) — the best of the Sitake era
Gilford's cornerbacks were pivotal in these accomplishments. Eddie Heckard and Jakob Robinson each ranked among the nation's top 20 in interceptions in 2023.
In 2024, the momentum continued. BYU led the FBS in interceptions per game (1.69) and totaled 22 picks, tied for most in the country. Gilford's unit contributed seven of those, with Robinson adding three more to bring his career total to 11 — the second-most by a BYU player since 2000.
Gilford's ability to prepare depth across the secondary and integrate players into a dynamic defensive system speaks to his development as a coach.
A strategic future
Gilford's new title reflects his increased role in the meeting room: breaking down film, designing coverages, and matching personnel to scheme. It's a natural next step for a coach who has grown in every phase of his career.
This isn't just about development anymore, Jernaro's seeing the game in layers now. He's not just teaching technique, he's game-planning.
As BYU continues to compete in the Big 12, Gilford's influence will only grow. The Cougars are recruiting and developing at a high level, but now they're also executing complex defensive schemes that allow them to punch above their weight — often thanks to the disguised coverages and situational planning coming out of Gilford's room.
BYU Rises with Gilford's tide
Gilford's impact has been strong ever since he stepped foot on Provo. A former All-MWC player who earned a sociology degree from BYU in 2004, he's a role model to many of his players.
He and his wife, Brittany, have two children: Jernaro Jr. and Jru. Jernaro Jr., a standout defensive back in his own right is already generating recruiting buzz from his performances at Skyridge High.
In a program built on development and family culture, Gilford's ascent is both well-earned and deeply symbolic. Once a standout player, he's evolved into a master technician — not just coaching talent, but shaping it.
The label of "just a recruiter," if it ever applied, is now obsolete. Today, Gilford is a foundational architect of BYU football's defensive identity, with his imprint clearly visible in the Cougars' recent rise.
