Steve Young Sounds Off on Penn State’s Pursuit of Kalani Sitake: “They’ll Have to Rip Him From Our Bloody Hands”
When it comes to defending BYU football, Steve Young doesn’t hold back-especially when the program’s head coach is in the crosshairs of a major Power Five suitor.
Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and BYU legend made it clear he’s not ready to see Kalani Sitake leave Provo anytime soon. With Penn State reportedly eyeing Sitake as a potential replacement in Happy Valley, Young delivered a passionate-and unmistakably vivid-response.
“They’re going to have to rip him from our bloody hands!” Young declared.
That’s not your everyday endorsement. That’s a full-throated defense from one of the most iconic figures in BYU history.
Sitake, now in his 10th season leading the Cougars, has built something meaningful in Provo. And it’s not just about wins and losses.
It’s about culture, connection, and a sense of purpose that resonates throughout the program. With BYU preparing to face Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship Game this Saturday, the timing of Penn State’s interest only intensifies the spotlight.
For Young, the idea of Sitake leaving-especially now-would be gut-wrenching.
“There’s a symbiotic, kind of beautiful thing going on between everything BYU and Kalani and what he’s doing,” Young said. “And I think he has the love for it, too, so the pain would be pretty extreme.”
That “symbiotic” relationship Young mentions? It’s not just sentiment-it’s the foundation of what Sitake has built.
He’s a BYU alum, a former player, and a coach who’s embraced the school’s identity while elevating its national profile. This isn’t just another job for him.
It’s home.
Still, Young acknowledged the other side of the coin: the fact that a program like Penn State is even in the conversation is, in its own way, a compliment to Sitake’s success.
“That’s a cool thing, too, in some way,” Young admitted.
Translation: when a blue-blood program comes calling, it means you’re doing something right. Sitake has taken BYU through the transition into the Big 12 and now has the Cougars playing for a conference title. That kind of trajectory doesn’t go unnoticed.
But make no mistake-Young’s message wasn’t just about admiration. It was a rallying cry. He made it clear that BYU isn’t going to let Sitake go quietly, not without a fight.
And in Provo, where football is deeply woven into the fabric of the university, that kind of loyalty matters. Sitake’s impact goes beyond the field. He’s built trust, stability, and belief-intangibles that don’t show up in stat sheets but define a program’s long-term success.
So while Penn State may be in hot pursuit, BYU’s response-at least from one of its most beloved alumni-is crystal clear: if you want Kalani Sitake, you’re going to have to pry him away from a program and a community that isn’t ready to let go.