BYU football will finish with 11 wins and a top-25 ranking for the first time since the Covid-flavored bizarro world that was the 2020 season. This time as a member of the Big 12 Conference, this team overdelivered on the promise that this year's team would be different.
No matter how you cut it, so much credit must be directed toward Coach Kalani Sitake. Following the departure of Bronco Mendenhall after the 2015 season, the former Utah and Oregon State defensive specialist approached Brigham Young University's vacancy with a clean shave and an open mind.
Hiring Kalani was undeniably the right decision for this program, and its time to acknowledge what he's done for this team, community, and university during his tenure.
Displaying tremendous character in victory and defeat, Coach Sitake takes his role as a leader with grace and maturity. When Arizona State rushed the field after escaping the Cougars, Kalani stayed and congratulated the ocean of students.
When BYU cleared a Colorado side that many expected to dominate the Alamo Bowl, Coach Deion Sanders was unabashed in his praise of the man standing opposite of him throughout the game.
“If I’m going to get my butt kicked, I'd rather get my butt kicked by that coach (Kalani). I love him to life. He's a good man."
— Brigham's Brigade (@BrighamsBrigade) December 29, 2024
-Deion Sanders on Kalani Sitake and BYU.#ValeroAlamoBowl #BYUvsCU #CoachPrime pic.twitter.com/gGhwjVD8Cx
After narrowly escaping dreaded rival Utah, Kalani relied on scripture, leaned on a policy of love, and told his team that "tough guys" aren't those who treat their enemies with disdain, but rather those who extend an arm of support and understanding.
His staff is full of those who first met Coach Sitake during his time with the Utes, and he made the point to say that every interaction may become valuable at some point in your life, so never take another human being as an obstacle or inconvenience.
I freaking love Kalani and I am so sorry for ever doubting him pic.twitter.com/HfGxeRiXDY
— retzlaff12_for_heisman (@mvp30_curry) November 12, 2024
Brigham Young University is well represented by its football coach. The Coach, players, and staff at every level worked tirelessly to deliver a season like this one, and fans should be tremendously proud to support the house that Kalani Sitake built.