Provo• Brigham Young University defensive coordinator Jay Hill suffered a heart attack after Thursday’s practice and did not coach in Saturday’s season opener against Southern Illinois University.
Hill felt discomfort driving home from the football offices and subsequently went to the hospital. He was released Saturday, he said.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be having a heart attack at age 49,” Hill said in a statement.
Head coach Kalani Sitake took over the defensive coordinator role against SIU, and the Cougars won the game 41-13.
Hill said he is starting to feel better and hopes for a fast recovery.
“I got into the car to drive home that night [and] I knew something was wrong,” he said. “... I cannot thank the doctors, nurses, and staff enough for all their expertise, professionalism and care.”
Hill is going into his second season as the team’s defensive coordinator. Before that, he was an assistant coach for the University of Utah and head coach at Weber State University.
“We are grateful coach Jay Hill is doing well, and we are excited to have him join us again soon on the sideline,” BYU said in a statement. “Our prayers are with him and his family.”