In a dramatic twist just days before the Big 12 Championship Game, BYU locked down head football coach Kalani Sitake with a long-term contract extension. Sitake, a prime candidate for the Penn State head coaching job, decided to stick with the Cougars after BYU’s administration and donors made a strong push to keep him.
This move brings some much-needed stability for a program that’s been climbing steadily upward. The Cougars are prepping for their first Big 12 title game against Texas Tech, currently sitting at 11th in the rankings and hoping for a shot at the College Football Playoff. The timing of Sitake’s extension couldn’t be more critical.
The Journey to the Extension
Retaining Kalani Sitake wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. On Monday, word got out that Sitake was a top target for Penn State’s head coaching vacancy.
Multiple sources said the Nittany Lions had put an offer on the table for the 50-year-old coach, and honestly, it looked like Sitake might be heading to Penn State. But BYU wasn’t about to let him go without a fight.
Aggressive Push by BYU
In the 24 hours before the announcement, BYU’s leadership—especially Athletic Director Brian Santiago—worked around the clock to get a new deal done with Sitake. The donor base rallied too, with names like Crumbl founder Jason McGowan stepping up to help keep Sitake in Provo.
Santiago shared his excitement, calling Sitake a proven leader and praising his ability to build a championship program the BYU way. “We are excited to announce a long-term agreement to extend Kalani Sitake as BYU’s head football coach,” Santiago said. “He is a proven leader, and we are grateful he is once again choosing BYU. His legacy of building a championship program the BYU way will continue on. He is one of the best people in the business. We are excited to continue to ride the wave of positive momentum with him.”
Impact on the Team and Future Prospects
This all comes at a key moment, just a day before early signing period begins and right before BYU’s first Big 12 title game appearance. The Cougars, 11-1 this season, have a real shot at the College Football Playoff. If they can beat No. 4 Texas Tech on Saturday, they’ll punch their ticket to the 12-team bracket.
Stability and Confidence
Kalani Sitake staying put brings a sense of calm to the program. Sitake’s been with the Cougars for a decade, racking up an 83-44 overall record and guiding the team through its Big 12 transition in 2023.
Under his leadership, BYU’s gone 22-3 over the last two seasons—pretty wild, right?
In his statement, Sitake thanked BYU fans and university leadership for their support. “I am humbled and full of gratitude for the outpouring of love from BYU fans and the trust and support provided to our football program by our university leadership,” Sitake said. “I’m thankful to President Shane Reese, Vice President Keith Vorkink and our Athletic Director Brian Santiago and his leadership team for the confidence they continue to place in me to lead our program and to take care of our players, coaches and staff. This is good for the stability and future of BYU football. I’m excited about our future.”
Penn State’s Coaching Search Continues
With Sitake out of the running, Penn State’s coaching search rolls on. The process has been pretty secretive, with a long list of potential candidates.
Names like Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule have all been linked to the job. Oddly enough, each of them has received a contract extension since Penn State’s position opened up—makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes.
Interim Head Coach Terry Smith
Interim head coach Terry Smith remains in the mix as Penn State weighs its options. The decision to offer Sitake shows they’re looking for someone with a proven track record who can bring some much-needed steadiness to the program.
Conclusion
Kalani Sitake’s decision to stay with BYU is a big win for the Cougars. It means stability for the team and keeps their hopes high as they aim for a College Football Playoff spot.
BYU’s administration and donors really pushed hard for this. Sitake’s proven track record definitely helped cement his spot as head coach for now.
Penn State, on the other hand, is still searching for a new head coach. There are a few names floating around, but nothing’s set in stone just yet.
If you’re curious and want more details, check out the full article on CBS Sports about BYU’s efforts to keep Kalani Sitake and Penn State’s ongoing search.
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