The coaching carousel knows no boundaries, takes no prisoners, and does not discriminate. Twisting, twirling, up, down, around, and over, the tilt-a-whirl can claim any victim, no matter how perfect the pairing. Although BYU and Kalani Sitake have long seemed to be a perfect fit, the 2025 silly season has left Brigham Young University with its eyeballs spinning and stars orbiting its cranium.
With apologies to Penn State, a program falling victim to its own hastiness, Kalani is staying put in Provo. I will not restrain my joy. I will not hide my relief. I will shout it from the rooftops if I must: Kalani Sitake is a BYU Cougar, and not even a Big Ten blue blood can take him away.
Related: Penn State's shot at BYU's Kalani Sitake 'Crumbl's' with pledge from major donor
According to On3, the Athletic, and nearly every reputable source keeping an ear to the ground, Coach Sitake has begun to share with people that he intends to remain in the home he's built.
Sources: BYU coach Kalani Sitake has begun to inform people that he intends to stay at the school. BYU is in the process of putting together a lucrative contract to keep him. He's been one of main targets at Penn State, which he informed of his decision today. pic.twitter.com/S76gHey7Ag
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 2, 2025
Less than 24 hours ago, his departure seemed to be an inevitability. Penn State had made an incredibly lucrative offer, and with the program's history and national standing, Sitake's road to the College Football Playoff was much smoother, less ridden with potholes, and a far more comfortable ride than that in Provo, a team ranked lower than any 11-1 Power Four team since 1998 (at least) and conveniently outside the playoff picture despite a resume that screams "Playoff team".
Sitake's foundation of faith and culture of emulating Christlike love have been built over his 10 years with the program. BYU is the perfect home for his coaching style, and he's decided to keep his feet planted in Provo.
This news couldn't be arriving at a better time for the team, as the 11th-ranked Cougars face a potentially do-or-die matchup this Saturday against the 4th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders in the BYU football program's first conference championship appearance in this millennium. Tech handed the Cougars their only loss of the season -- a 22-point thwacking in Lubbock -- which has since proved to be a firewall keeping the Cougars out of the top 10 entirely (which is entirely unfair, but I've beaten a hole in that drum already).
This is a pivotal period for the football program. Winning the Big 12 Conference and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff will bring BYU football national recognition, respect among the biggest names in the sport, and most important of all, the greatest season in the program's modern history.
Sources tell @On3sports that BYU's Kalani Sitake is staying in Provo. Had emerged as a top target in Penn State's coaching search.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 2, 2025
BYU is committing $10 to $15 million of NIL on top of revenue sharing. New deal is currently expected to pay Sitake roughly $9 to $9.5 million… https://t.co/BPhfAG2oS5 pic.twitter.com/2NVwqbo90q
Whether a play to get more resources into the BYU football program, a higher salary for himself and his staff, or if Sitake truly had one foot out the door, this whirlwind finishes with a bigger NIL budget for a BYU football program that has proved its worth, going 22-3 over the past two seasons in the Big 12 Conference.
All parties will leave this transaction stronger than they entered it. Except for Penn State. Penn State is in serious trouble now.