When BYU football coach Kalani Sitake announced last February that assistant coach Jernaro Gilford had been promoted and given the newly created title of “Defensive Passing Game Coordinator,” most observers saw it for what it was — an attempt to get the longtime cornerbacks coach more money and recognition.
It was also a move to get the highly successful Gilford, a former standout BYU defensive back, to ignore overtures from other programs and stay in Provo. And it worked. One of Sitake’s primary objectives last winter was to keep his coaching staff intact as much as possible after the Cougars went 11-2 overall, 7-2 in their second season in the Big 12.
Sitake hired his former teammate when he replaced Bronco Mendenhall in 2016 and began building his staff, and Gilford is the lone remaining assistant from that staff that also included Ilaisa Tuiaki as defensive coordinator and Ty Detmer as offensive coordinator.
“He’s been my guy from Day 1,” Sitake said Monday after reviewing BYU’s 69-0 walloping of Portland State and looking ahead to Saturday’s 8:15 p.m. MDT matchup with Stanford (0-1) of the Atlantic Coast Conference. “He’s been here the entire time, and I appreciate him staying with us. He’s had many opportunities to leave.”
If longtime reporters on the BYU football beat know anything about Gilford, it is that the product of Los Angeles’ Westchester High absolutely hates to talk about himself. So it is no surprise that he downplays his new role and declines to talk about the offers he had to leave BYU after combining with defensive coordinator Jay Hill to put together one of the best secondaries in school history last year.
“He’s been my guy from Day 1. He’s been here the entire time, and I appreciate him staying with us. He’s had many opportunities to leave.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake on Jernaro Gilford
“My (daily routine) might have changed in the office a little bit,” Gilford said. “I probably talk a little more, whatever the case may be. But for the most part, man, in practice, the thought is that if it’s not broke, there’s no need to fix it. So practices are still the same.”
The cornerbacks room has changed a bit, with one of the best to play the position at BYU, Jakob Robinson, having moved on to trying to make the San Francisco 49ers roster. The Orem High product had a good shot at doing that until he fractured his forearm in the team’s final exhibition game last month.
An unsung member of BYU’s support staff last year, former NFL and CFL defensive back Robertson Daniel, has also moved on after returning to BYU and helping out while he earned his degree. Former Weber State and BYU standout cornerback Eddie Heckard took Daniel’s place.
“I mean, the defense was amazing last year, and we’re just trying to replicate what we did and see if we can finish at the top again,” Gilford said.
So far, so good, as Portland State quarterbacks completed only 10 of 20 passes for 56 yards. After recording at least one interception in every game last year, BYU’s defense didn’t get a pick last Saturday as the Vikings basically gave up on trying to throw the ball in the second half.
Obviously, the degree of difficulty increases moving forward, beginning Saturday against a Stanford team that has been in turmoil and gone through a last-minute coaching change, but still has plenty of talented skill players and a veteran offensive line.
Said Daniel last May: “BYU is so blessed to have a man like G., who has been there for nine years. He should be there for the next 20. G. is the most valuable (assistant) coach at BYU, and it is not close. … That man is so, so valuable to BYU.”
Sitake obviously recognized that, and with the support of the athletic administration, was able to keep Gilford in the program.
“I use anything I can to keep my guys around. I am really thankful that for him, and for his wife, Brittany, and for the kids that want to be here and be part of this program,” Sitake said. “It’s an honor for me to be his friend and to be working with him.
“And I love the way he handles our corner room, and also the way he helps our defense and schemes. I mean, he and Jay have a great connection. I think you’re seeing the fruits of all their labor, man, and he’s picked up some amazing experience along the way. I could go on and on about him. I love the guy, and he was a great corner when he played, too, so that helps.”
Last year, some of BYU’s defensive passing statistics were off the charts. The Cougars led the FBS in interceptions per game (1.69) and finished with 22 picks, tied with Texas (which played more games) for most in the country.
BYU also was third in the nation in opponent passer efficiency (105.91), 16th in fewest touchdown passes allowed (13), and 20th in passing yards allowed (182.5 per game).
“Bottom line is that we expect (the same level) of play again this year,” said Hill, who also coaches the safeties. “I believe that corner group will be ready. Coach Gilford does a great job with those guys.”
Gilford: Jury still out on BYU’s corners in 2025
Who are those guys this year? Is there another Jakob Robinson or Eddie Heckard in the mix?
Against Portland State, Gilford started redshirt junior Evan Johnson at one corner spot, and redshirt senior Mory Bamba at the other. Sophomore Tommy Prassas, also a safety, started at the nickel spot — which was where Robinson primarily did his damage last year.
Sophomore Tre Alexander III, redshirt senior Jayden Dunlap and redshirt sophomore Marcus McKenzie are the backup corners, while San Diego State transfer Tayvion Beasley and freshman returned missionary Cannon DeVries are the backup nickels.
Sophomore Jonathan Kabeya recently underwent surgery for an undisclosed injury and will be out for a while.
“I think the guys are ready. I think they’ve been getting better and better every single day,” Gilford said of the cornerbacks room when preseason training camp ended. “We just been working on the small things, trying to fix all the bad habits and stuff like that. … So come Saturday, we’ll be ready.”
Hill said Prassas was moved to nickel “because he’s fast” and because he played a lot of man-to-man coverage in high school.
“I like his instincts, and I like his toughness and his preparation. He does a good job watching film and trying to understand what I want him to do, and doing it that way,” Hill said. “He’s been in the safety room for a long time, and those guys hear all the adjustments that we do in all the positions. So he’ll be ready.”
Gilford said last year’s cornerback group, with Robinson and Weber State transfer Marque Collins the primary starters, was as good as he’s had in his 10 seasons at BYU. Heckard, Robinson and Kamden Garrett were also solid in 2023.
“This group (has a chance), but they have to make the plays that the previous guys made,” Gilford said. “So it is kind of a wait-and-see type of deal.”
