Penn State’s Coaching Search Heats Up: Kalani Sitake Emerging as a Serious Candidate
The coaching carousel is spinning fast in Happy Valley, and one name that continues to gain traction is BYU’s Kalani Sitake. Multiple sources close to the situation confirm that Sitake is firmly in the mix for the Penn State head coaching job - and talks are intensifying.
At 50 years old, Sitake is in his 10th season at the helm of BYU, the program where he once played linebacker in the late '90s. His journey from player to head coach has been rooted in Provo, and now, he’s potentially on the verge of making the leap to one of college football’s premier jobs.
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Sitake’s run at BYU hasn’t been all smooth sailing. There were bumps early on, including a 4-9 season in 2017 and a 5-7 finish just two years ago in 2023.
But what he’s built since then is nothing short of remarkable. Over the past two seasons, BYU has transformed into a legitimate powerhouse in the Power Five landscape.
Last year, the Cougars went 11-2 and cracked the top 15 in the final rankings. This season? They’re sitting at 11-1 and preparing for a Big 12 Championship showdown against Texas Tech - a game that could punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff.
And they’ve done it under challenging circumstances. BYU lost starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who withdrew from the university this past summer.
That kind of disruption would derail most programs, but Sitake’s squad just kept rolling. It’s a testament to the culture he’s built and the depth he’s developed.
Behind the scenes, the buzz around Sitake’s candidacy is real. Sources familiar with the Penn State search - including individuals with deep ties across the college football landscape - have indicated that Sitake is not just a name on a list.
He’s a serious contender. One agent, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the legitimacy of the discussions but also raised a compelling question: *Why leave BYU now, when the program is thriving and you’re coaching at your alma mater - a place deeply tied to your faith and identity?
It’s a valid point. Sitake isn’t just BYU’s head coach - he’s BYU through and through.
He played for LaVell Edwards, the legendary coach whose name is etched into the very fabric of the program. And in many ways, Sitake is carving out a legacy of his own that could one day rival Edwards’ iconic status in Provo.
Of Sitake’s 25 years in coaching, 23 have been spent in Utah. The only exceptions?
A one-year stint at Eastern Arizona in 2001 and a season at Oregon State in 2015. That’s a long time rooted in one region - and while his football acumen is unquestioned, the move to Penn State would be a cultural shift as much as a professional one.
The question now becomes: Is Sitake ready to take that leap? And is Penn State ready to hand the keys to a coach who’s proven he can build and sustain success - even in the face of adversity?
There’s still plenty to play out, but make no mistake: Kalani Sitake is a name to watch closely as Penn State zeroes in on its next head coach.