In the quiet corridors of BYU’s athletic department, tensions simmered between two men who had long stood as pillars of the university’s athletic pride: Athletic Director Tom Holmoe and football coach Kalani Sitake. For years, Holmoe had been the calm, steady hand guiding the athletic programs, while Sitake, ever the optimistic leader, had brought an intensity and grit to the football team. But beneath the surface, a financial storm was brewing—one that threatened to tear apart their professional relationship.
It started with a promise.
When Kalani Sitake signed his last contract, it was a deal full of potential, built on mutual respect. Holmoe had assured Sitake that, after a strong season, a pay raise would come, as it was customary for high-performing coaches to see their contracts reflect their success. The Cougars had exceeded expectations, with an impressive run that had caught national attention. Sitake had delivered.
But as months passed, nothing changed.
By the time Sitake entered Holmoe’s office late one Thursday afternoon, the football coach’s frustration had reached a boiling point. Holmoe had been elusive, deflecting questions about the raise, giving vague answers about budget constraints and institutional priorities. Yet, those excuses no longer held weight. Sitake had earned it—he had earned far more than just the promises made in boardroom discussions. His team was thriving; his recruiting was exceptional. Still, the raise was nowhere in sight.
“Tom, we need to talk,” Sitake’s voice was calm, but the steel behind it was unmistakable. He closed the door behind him, the weight of the moment pressing down on both men.
Holmoe, behind his desk, looked up with a mixture of concern and discomfort. He had known this conversation was coming. “Kalani, I’ve been meaning to sit down with you,” he said, trying to steer the conversation back to pleasantries.
But Sitake wasn’t having it. “Don’t give me that. We both know what this is about. My contract. Where’s the raise?”
Holmoe’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he shifted in his chair. “Kalani, we’re in a tough financial position right now. I’ve been pushing for it, but the university has its priorities. We have to manage expectations.”
Sitake’s jaw clenched. “I’m managing expectations too. Every single day. I’ve brought this program to the national spotlight. I’ve brought in top-tier recruits. And I’m delivering on my end of the bargain. But you’re telling me the money’s tight? That’s a lie, Tom. I’ve seen the budget.”
Holmoe’s demeanor hardened, his professional facade slipping. “You don’t know the full picture, Kalani. Running an athletic department isn’t just about football. We’ve got a lot of programs to support. Your raise isn’t the only thing on the table.”
Sitake took a step forward, his voice rising. “It’s not just about the raise. It’s about respect. You promised me that after this season, we’d talk. You made a commitment, and I’ve honored mine. Don’t make me start questioning how much this department actually values me. Or this team.”
Holmoe’s eyes flickered with something darker—frustration, maybe even fear. “You’re making it personal now, Kalani.”
“I’ve kept it professional up until now,” Sitake replied, his voice dangerously low. “But you’re pushing me. You don’t want to make this personal.”
The room was thick with tension. Holmoe, who had always prided himself on being a master of control, found himself unraveling. He had thought he could stall a little longer, let the issue fade, but Sitake wasn’t the type to back down. Not anymore.
“I’ll have an answer for you by next week,” Holmoe finally muttered, trying to regain his footing.
Sitake’s response was curt, cutting through the air like a blade. “I don’t need your answers, Tom. I need you to follow through. Or maybe it’s time we both start looking at other options. Because I’m done waiting.”
With that, he turned on his heel and left the office, the door slamming behind him. Holmoe sat there for a moment, his fingers drumming against the desk. The confrontation wasn’t over—it had only just begun.
And for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t sure who would come out on top.
>
