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SALT LAKE CITY — Almost four years ago, when BYU was looking to hire a new football coach, Kalani Sitake was the best realistic candidate to lead the program through the unsettled times as an independent.
And now here we are, even with a 26-23 career record, Sitake is still the right choice to coach the Cougars. To that end, as the program continues to deal with turbulence that comes in various ways without a conference affiliation, the BYU administration correctly decided to extend Sitake’s contract through the 2023 season.
On multiple levels, Sitake deserves the job security that comes with adding three years to a contract that was set to expire after next season. The decision delivers a message that needs to be sent.
Without a doubt, the players believe in their coach, an attribute that is only earned through mutual respect. This was readily apparent during the locker room celebration last Saturday when athletic director Tom Holmoe announced to the team that Sitake was being retained.
“For me, it meant the world. I felt like I was getting a contract extension,” said defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga. “It’s just more than football for him. I’m just happy for him and happy for his family. We love coach Kalani and everything he stands for.”
Tonga admitted the uncertainty surrounding Sitake’s job status has been on the players’ minds during this season. One month ago, fellow defensive lineman Bracken El-Bakri took the support for Sitake even further, practically challenging any naysayer doubting Sitake to a fight.
El-Bakri specifically appreciates Sitake’s willingness to take responsibility for any of the team’s shortcomings rather than pawn it off on the players.
“I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else,” he said. “If I were to ever hear anything negative about Kalani, it would make me really, really angry because I feel a great loyalty to him.”
Loyalty is a tricky subject, one that resonates with a winning team but causes frustration during downward spirals. As with any coach, Sitake faces a delicate balance of gaining the trust of his players but also instituting the necessary discipline.
Sitake also has proven willing to make hard decisions with his coaching staff. Two years ago, after a humiliating 4-9 season, he fired the popular Ty Detmer as offensive coordinator much to the chagrin of the Heisman Trophy winner’s legions of fans.
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Kalani Sitake's 3-year contract extension a win for BYU football players, culture
The royal blue T-shirts with the Sailor Coug logo and the #ExtendKalani monogram weren’t made by the players, but the message was quickly adopted by the team.This year, with the team muddling along at 2-4, Sitake tweaked play-calling responsibilities on both sides of the football. The moves, which created at least some hard feelings with the staff, is in part connected to the current four-game winning streak.
At this point, having undergone multiple staff changes the last three years, the program desperately needs stability. Wholesale changes, which likely would occur if Sitake were to leave, would cause BYU football to fall further behind the Power 5 programs with which it desires to compete.
As an independent, BYU struggles to compete financially with Power Five programs that earn millions of dollars annually through their conference television contracts. Despite the ever-growing discrepancy, BYU continues to load up on playing programs with much greater resources.
For me, it meant the world. I felt like I was getting a contract extension.
–Khyiris Tonga
The Cougars split the four games against P5 competition this season, pulling off overtime wins against Tennessee and USC. They failed to stay competitive throughout the games with Utah and Washington.
Next season, in what should rank as the toughest schedule in school history, BYU will play six P5 teams. But instead of loading up on three or four easy opponents, the Cougars have only one obvious inferior team in North Alabama.
Sitake is the best option to negotiate through the upcoming difficult schedule, particularly with the amount of returning starters. BYU’s depth chart lists only six seniors as starters, split evening on offense and defense.
Another positive for Sitake is his legacy as a former BYU running back for LaVell Edwards. Facing a stacked deck in many cases with recruiting, the program needs a representative with the credibility to sell the experience that he lived 20 years ago.
Recruiting at BYU, with Utah among the nation’s elite programs and owning a nine-game winning streak in the rivalry, has never been tougher. Bottom line is, Sitake provides the program the best chance to reach its goals.
