Penn State has zeroed in on BYU head coach Kalani Sitake as its top target to fill the program’s head coaching vacancy. The Nittany Lions are looking to turn the page after parting ways with James Franklin midseason, and Sitake’s name has emerged as the one at the top of the list.
The timing is notable. Sitake is preparing No.
11 BYU for a massive Big 12 Championship showdown against No. 5 Texas Tech - a game with College Football Playoff implications.
But behind the scenes, Penn State’s administration is making its move.
Sitake, now in his 10th season at the helm of his alma mater, has built BYU into a legitimate Big 12 contender after guiding the Cougars through a major transition from independence to Power Five football. His recent track record speaks volumes: a 22-3 combined record over the past two seasons, including an 11-1 mark heading into the conference title game. That kind of consistency, especially in a new conference, is exactly what Penn State is looking for.
Overall, Sitake owns an 83-44 record at BYU and has delivered four 10-win seasons. He’s known for building a strong, disciplined program that plays physical football - a style that could translate well to the Big Ten’s brand of play. And while he’s never coached outside the Mountain or Pacific time zones, his results have caught national attention.
When asked about the Penn State rumors earlier this week, Sitake didn’t bite. Instead, he kept the focus on the task at hand - preparing his team for the biggest game of their season.
“We're trying to finish the season the right way,” Sitake said. “It’s on us to be our best to play against Texas Tech.
This is a great distraction to have, let’s be honest. But right now, we need to be focused on making sure that we’re giving our best shot in this game.”
That’s been the hallmark of Sitake’s tenure - a steady hand, a team-first mindset, and an ability to keep his players locked in through the noise. And make no mistake, the noise is growing louder around Happy Valley.
Penn State’s search began after a disappointing 3-3 start that included losses to Oregon, UCLA, and Northwestern - a sharp fall from grace for a program that opened the year ranked No. 2 after reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals the season prior. The loss to Northwestern proved to be the final straw, and athletic director Patrick Kraft made the move to fire Franklin the following day.
Franklin’s tenure was a mix of highs and frustrations. He led Penn State to a Big Ten title in 2016, reached six 10-win seasons, and made seven New Year’s Six bowl appearances.
But the struggles against elite competition were glaring. Franklin’s 2-21 record against top-10 teams - including consistent losses to Ohio State and Michigan - became a defining narrative that the program couldn’t shake.
Enter Sitake, who Kraft believes can take Penn State to the next level - not just bowl games, but national title contention. The question now is whether Sitake is ready to leave the place he’s so deeply tied to.
A former BYU fullback under legendary coach LaVell Edwards, Sitake has long been seen as a cultural cornerstone of the program. His connection to BYU and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints runs deep, and he’s been viewed as a coach who might never leave Provo.
But Penn State offers a different kind of opportunity - one with unmatched resources, a passionate fanbase, and a clear path to the expanded College Football Playoff through the Big Ten. If Sitake is open to a new challenge, this could be the right moment.
In the meantime, Penn State finished out the season under interim coach Terry Smith, a longtime assistant and former Nittany Lion himself. Smith made his case for the permanent job while leading the team to a 3-3 finish, including three straight wins to close the regular season and secure bowl eligibility at 6-6.
Still, it’s clear the administration is aiming higher. With Sitake in their sights, Penn State is hoping to bring in a proven winner with the leadership and vision to elevate the program back into the national spotlight.