Lawless Republic
Fansided

BYU Football: The Mount Rushmore of Independence

By Adam Gibby

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 20: Kyle Van Noy #3 of the BYU Cougars recovers a fumble scoring a touchdown after sacking the qurterback in the second half of the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 20, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 20: Kyle Van Noy #3 of the BYU Cougars recovers a fumble scoring a touchdown after sacking the qurterback in the second half of the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 20, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Oct 30, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake walks on to the field prior to their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake walks on to the field prior to their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Kalani Sitake

Statistics: 48-29 win/loss record

It hasn’t always been the prettiest path (4-9 record in 2017), but there is no doubt that Sitake is needed on this list. Although his coaching record just got over .500 back in 2020, the last two seasons, the Cougars have been one of the best teams in the nation putting up a 21-4 record.

More impressive than his record however, is the swagger that Sitake brings to the program. Nothing against Mendenhall, but the super relaxed, devotional before every game, and lack of emotion in post game interviews had BYU in a boring spot nationally. Think of a NC State or Texas Tech.

Since he has taken over, the Cougars have become one of the most exciting teams to watch whether it is the trick plays, the energy on the sideline or the unhidden emotion of Sitake himself. Players love Sitake and now with a combination of him and the Big 12, big name recruits are already starting to commit to Provo.

Sitake was also pushing to play games in 2020 while every other team west of Texas opted to not play (initially). This put BYU on the map and likely helped their Big 12 bid.

Home/BYU Football