Penn State is still on the hunt for its next head football coach, and the search may be zeroing in on a familiar name making waves out west. After parting ways with James Franklin back in October, the Nittany Lions have taken a more deliberate approach than some of their Power Five peers. Programs like LSU, Auburn, and Michigan State have already made their hires, but in Happy Valley, the process appears to be entering its final stages-with BYU head coach Kalani Sitake emerging as a top target.
According to reports, Sitake is firmly in Penn State’s sights, though no deal has been finalized. Conversations have reportedly advanced to the point of discussing potential staffing scenarios, an indication that both sides are seriously evaluating what a Sitake-led program could look like in State College.
For now, though, Sitake has his focus locked in on BYU’s biggest game of the season: a Big 12 Championship clash with Texas Tech. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Sitting at 11-1 and ranked No. 11 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, BYU is on the cusp of a potential playoff berth. But with the new 12-team format and automatic bids in play, even a win might not guarantee a spot-though it would certainly help their case.
Sitake has built something impressive in Provo. Since taking over in 2016, he’s compiled an 83-44 record and guided the Cougars through their transition into the Big 12 without missing a beat. This season’s success has been a testament to his steady leadership and ability to develop talent within a system that plays tough, disciplined football.
Of course, Sitake’s ties to BYU run deep. He’s not just the head coach-he’s an alum who played for the program and has spent much of his coaching career there. But even with that connection, the opportunity to lead a storied Big Ten program like Penn State could be too big to pass up.
Before this year’s slide, Penn State was riding high. The Nittany Lions reached the College Football Playoff last season and entered 2025 ranked No. 2 in the AP poll.
The expectations were sky-high, but the season didn’t unfold the way anyone in Happy Valley hoped. That stumble ultimately led to a reset at the top, and now the program is looking for a leader who can restore that momentum.
Sitake’s name has come up in coaching cycles before, but this feels different. The timing, the fit, and the opportunity all align in a way that makes this potential move worth watching closely. If Penn State believes Sitake can bring his winning formula east-and if Sitake believes he can elevate the Nittany Lions back to national contention-then this could be a pivotal moment for both programs.
For now, though, all eyes are on the Big 12 title game. After that, the coaching carousel could start spinning a little faster in Happy Valley.