Steve Young on Kalani Sitake Rumors: "They're Going to Have to Rip Him From Our Bloody Hands"
When a Hall of Fame quarterback like Steve Young speaks out, people listen - especially when it’s about his alma mater and the man currently leading its football program.
Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Young didn’t hold back when asked about Penn State’s reported interest in BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. And while Young is typically soft-spoken off the field, this time, the former Cougars star delivered his message loud and clear.
“They're going to have to rip him from our bloody hands!” Young said, a line that instantly echoed across Cougar Nation.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Sitake remains in Provo, and there’s no official word of a move. But the buzz around Penn State’s pursuit hasn’t quieted.
With the Nittany Lions in the market for a new head coach, Sitake’s name has risen to the top of their list - and for good reason. What he’s built at BYU over the past decade has earned national attention, even if it’s now putting the Cougars in a bit of a defensive stance off the field.
Young, who led BYU to national prominence in the early '80s before carving out a legendary NFL career, made it clear how much Sitake means to the program - especially now, with BYU preparing to face Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game this Saturday.
“It would be super painful,” Young said of the possibility of Sitake leaving. “There’s a symbiotic, kind of beautiful thing going on between everything BYU and Kalani and what he’s doing. And I think he has the love for it, too, so the pain would be pretty extreme.”
That connection Young’s talking about? It’s not just lip service.
Sitake, now in his tenth season at the helm, has become more than just a head coach for BYU - he’s become a cultural fit, a leader who understands the school’s unique identity and has embraced it fully. His tenure has been marked by consistency, player development, and an ability to keep BYU competitive in an evolving college football landscape.
Now, with the Cougars on the brink of a conference title in their first Big 12 season, Sitake’s stock has never been higher.
Young acknowledged that Penn State’s interest is a sign of the respect Sitake has earned across the country.
“That’s a cool thing, too, in some way,” he said. “But we’re not going to go down without a fight.”
And that’s the heart of it. This isn’t just about a coach potentially leaving for another opportunity.
It’s about what Sitake represents to BYU - stability, identity, and belief. In a sport where turnover is constant and loyalty is often tested, Sitake’s bond with the Cougars is rare.
That’s why Young’s words hit so hard. They’re not just passionate - they’re personal.
As the coaching carousel continues to spin and Penn State’s search intensifies, BYU fans - and alumni like Steve Young - are bracing for what comes next. But if it’s up to them, Sitake isn’t going anywhere without a serious fight.