Kalani Sitake Stays Focused on Big 12 Title Amid Penn State Coaching Rumors
With his BYU squad preparing for the Big 12 Championship Game this Saturday, head coach Kalani Sitake isn’t letting outside noise distract from the task at hand-even when that noise includes reports of interest from Penn State.
During a virtual press conference ahead of the showdown between No. 11 BYU and No.
5 Texas Tech, Sitake was asked directly about reports linking him to the head coaching vacancy at Penn State. His response?
Classic Sitake: poised, focused, and all about his team.
“I’m all about the Big 12 championship and keeping our team focused on that,” Sitake said. “So I’m going to avoid all the distractions.”
It wasn’t the first time in the press conference he addressed outside interest. Sitake acknowledged that in today’s social media-driven world, players and fans alike are aware of the chatter. But for him, it’s about staying grounded.
“I have to address it because the world is small now and people can see stuff on social media and everything,” he said. “They’re used to me saying that this is a good sign, that things are going well for us.
But this isn’t about me. I’ve asked our team to be focused on what we can control - and right now we control what we’re doing as a team - and not worry about all the distractions.”
The reported interest comes as Sitake wraps up one of the most impressive seasons of his 10-year tenure in Provo. The Cougars are 11-1 overall, 8-1 in conference play, and headed to their first Big 12 title game just three years into their membership in the league.
Sitake’s resume speaks for itself. Since taking over in 2016, he’s compiled an 83-44 record, guiding BYU to bowl eligibility in eight of ten seasons and logging four double-digit win campaigns. Last year’s 11-2 finish was impressive, but this year’s run-navigating a full Big 12 schedule and landing in the championship picture-has elevated his national profile even further.
And while he’s not campaigning for himself, Sitake isn’t shy about his belief in his team’s Playoff credentials.
“I’m not much of a campaign guy for us during the season,” he said. “But after the season and looking at everything, I do believe in what commissioner Yormark and Joey McGuire said: that we are a Playoff-contending team.”
That sentiment is shared by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, who made a strong case for both BYU and Texas Tech to be considered for at-large bids in the 12-team College Football Playoff-regardless of Saturday’s result.
“Texas Tech’s terrific season has them firmly in the CFP. No doubt.
They are a shoo-in,” Yormark said. “BYU’s body of work at 11-1 is being undervalued by the CFP committee at No. 11 in the rankings.”
He added: “Let’s not look at logos; let’s look at resumes. Any blind resume comparison has BYU in the top 10.
No question about it. In comparison with Notre Dame, as an example, BYU has a better overall record, better strength of record and a better strength of schedule.
I am confident that the CFP will get it right for BYU.”
Yormark also threw his support behind Utah, currently ranked No. 13, pointing out that the Utes’ 10-2 record includes losses only to BYU and Texas Tech-two top-tier Big 12 teams.
“I feel very strongly about Texas Tech and BYU, and I think Utah deserves strong consideration,” Yormark said. “I’ll continue to beat that drum.
Hopefully, the CFP gets that right, and I have a lot of confidence in them. Let’s see what happens this week and next Sunday, but I feel good about our chances.”
This weekend’s title game is a rematch of BYU’s lone blemish this season-a 29-7 loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock back on November 8. That result has loomed large in the rankings conversation, but it also sets the stage for a high-stakes redemption opportunity for Sitake’s squad.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire echoed Yormark’s Playoff support for both teams, recognizing the strength of the conference and the quality of Saturday’s matchup.
For Sitake, the focus remains squarely on the field. He’s not one to chase headlines or entertain hypotheticals. Whether it’s coaching rumors or CFP rankings, his message to his team-and to the public-is consistent: control what you can control.
It’s a mindset that’s carried BYU to the brink of a conference title and, potentially, a shot at the College Football Playoff. Now, with one more game to play, Sitake and the Cougars are locked in.