PROVO, Utah — BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill was released from the hospital Saturday, two days after suffering a heart attack.

Hill, 49, who also serves as the team’s associate head coach, was seen at the Cougars’ season opener against Southern Illinois at LaVell Edwards Stadium, but head coach Kalani Sitake took over Hill’s duties on the sidelines.

Hill was admitted to a Utah County hospital Thursday night after experiencing chest pains following a football practice that afternoon. Two stents were placed in his arteries Friday and Saturday in separate procedures after an angiogram showed one artery was 60 percent blocked and the other 100 percent.

Come on Cougs! photo.twitter.com/Hn9hoR8IUr

—Jay Hill (@CoachJayHill) August 31, 2024

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would suffer a heart attack at the age of 49,” Hill wrote in a post on the social media platform X. “I cannot thank the doctors, nurses and staff enough for all their expertise, professionalism and care. I have now been discharged from hospital and am feeling much better and looking forward to a speedy recovery.”

Hill joined Sitake’s staff as BYU’s defensive coordinator in 2023 after nine seasons at Weber State, where he compiled a 68-39 record as head coach and led the Wildcats to four straight Big Sky Conference championships from 2017-2021.

He previously served as an assistant defensive lineman at Utah under Urban Meyer and then under Kyle Whittingham from 2001 to 2013. Hill also played for the Utes as a defensive lineman in 1998 and 1999.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.