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SALT LAKE CITY — Let the coaching carousel begin.
Just make sure both hands and feet are inside the ride at all times.
Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake and defensive line coach Ilaisa Tuiaki will join newly appointed Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen in Corvallis, the school announced Tuesday.
The announcement comes three days after Utah finished its 2014 season with a 45-10 win over Colorado State in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl.
"One of my top priorities has been to put together a staff that helps student-athletes succeed academically, socially and athletically," Andersen said. "These coaches all put the student-athlete first and are all proven professionals in their respective areas, excelling at the highest level. They have demonstrated the ability to recruit nationally and that experience ensures that we will be able to bring in student-athletes that fit Oregon State University, our community and our program."
Sitake will serve as Andersen's assistant head coach and defensive coordinator — the same capacity he held for the 2012-14 seasons at Utah.
Tuiaki will also join the defensive staff in a role to be determined.
The move comes just a few days after KSL learned the Utah athletic department was planning on offering a two-year extension to Sitake that included a "significant raise."
Both Sitake and Tuiaki have worked with Andersen before at Utah, while Sitake also coached with him at Southern Utah during Andersen's 2003 head coaching stint with the Thunderbirds.
Also joining the Oregon State staff is Chad Kauha'aha'a, who worked with Andersen at Utah State and Wisconsin. Kauha'aha'a worked on Utah's staff from 2011-12.
Other staff additions include: Derrick Odum, who worked under Andersen from 2005-07 as safeties coach at Utah; T.J. Woods, who was Utah State's offensive line coach (among other duties) from 2009-12 under Andersen; and strength and conditioning coach Evan Simon, who has worked with Andersen at Utah, Utah State and Wisconsin.
"These coaches have a tremendous belief in each other, and once they understood the vision and direction of Oregon State football, much like myself, were anxious to jump on board and be a part of Beaver Nation," Andersen concluded.
Robert Jackson is the cross platform sports and weather producer for ksl.com and KSL-TV.
