Before becoming a standout football player at Lehi High, Ricks College, and the University of Utah, and later a successful coach at the University of Utah, Weber State, and now BYU, Jay Hill, at the age of 16, faced a disciplinary moment regarding his driving privileges.
His father, Ferrell Hill, decided to take away Jay’s car keys, not because of school truancy, speeding, or car maintenance issues. Rather, the incident occurred when Jay parked in front of the seminary building at Lehi High School while taking his girlfriend to lunch. Later that day, upon returning home from school, Jay found his father waiting on the porch, asking for the keys.
Why did Ferrell Hill intervene? While teaching at the seminary, Ferrell had observed Jay’s actions from his classroom window and noticed that Jay hadn’t opened the car door for his girlfriend.
Reflecting on the incident, Jay shared, “That’s just a glimpse into his character as a man and a father. He instilled in us values like treating women with respect and doing things the right way.”
“My father has been instrumental in any success I’ve achieved,” said BYU’s second-year defensive coordinator. “From him, I learned the values of hard work and commitment. He’s always willing to lend a hand to anyone, anytime, and he’ll drop whatever he’s doing to help others. That’s just who he is.”
Ferrell Hill has been recognized as the Deseret News’ unofficial Utah Sports Father of the Year, joining a distinguished group of fathers previously featured before Father’s Day, including Draper’s Mike Wilson (father of Whitney, Zach, Josh, Micah, Isaac, and Sophie), University of Utah basketball coach Craig Smith, and Tom Sitake, father of BYU football coach Kalani Sitake, who is also Jay Hill’s supervisor.
