At Brigham Young University (BYU), where tradition and faith are intertwined with sports, the decision to extend Kalani Sitake’s contract for the long term was more than a mere tactical move. It was a reflection of the values, ideals, and vision that BYU holds dear. His leadership was not just about wins on the football field—it was about representing the heart and soul of the university, a place where faith, character, and excellence converge.
Kalani Sitake had always been more than a coach. He was a symbol of perseverance, integrity, and unwavering dedication. From the moment he first stepped onto the sidelines of the Cougars’ football team in 2016, he brought a fresh sense of pride and a powerful presence. BYU, a school deeply rooted in its religious foundation and its commitment to producing not just athletes but good men, had found in Sitake a coach who exemplified these values at every level.
“Kalani resonates everything that BYU represents,” said Tom Holmoe, BYU’s athletic director. It wasn’t just his ability to turn the football program into a contender or his commitment to fostering a winning culture. It was his approach to leadership—focused on family, faith, and community—that made Sitake the ideal leader for BYU’s football team. In a world where success is often measured by trophies and statistics, Sitake had redefined the meaning of victory, creating a legacy that would stand the test of time.
What made Kalani Sitake so uniquely suited to lead BYU was his deep connection to the university’s mission. A former player, Sitake had walked the very halls of BYU, and as a Polynesian, he brought a cultural richness that resonated with a diverse range of students and athletes. His background added to the authenticity of his leadership. Kalani was someone who understood the values of loyalty, hard work, and sacrifice, principles deeply embedded in the hearts of those who call BYU home.
One of the first things Sitake did when he arrived was emphasize the importance of developing players both on and off the field. He preached that football was merely a vehicle to teach life lessons. Under his guidance, BYU’s football program became a place where young men grew spiritually, mentally, and physically. They became leaders, fathers, husbands, and members of their communities—principles that aligned perfectly with BYU’s broader mission to “build character, faith, and leadership.”
His impact went beyond the gridiron. Players consistently spoke of Sitake’s family-oriented philosophy, how he treated them like sons, always ready with wisdom drawn from his faith and his experience. The coach had a rare ability to balance the toughness required of an elite team with the compassion and guidance needed for young men to thrive. Even in moments of adversity, when the Cougars faced challenges on the field, Sitake’s calm and steadfast leadership inspired players to stay the course. His calm demeanor in difficult times was a testament to the values that defined him—not just as a coach but as a man of faith.
BYU recognized that Sitake’s success wasn’t only due to his football knowledge or his ability to strategize. It was his character, his unwavering faith in his players, and his commitment to developing them as individuals, not just athletes. His resilience, paired with his authenticity, made him the perfect embodiment of everything BYU stood for. In every victory, Sitake brought a sense of purpose that extended far beyond the scoreboard. His legacy was already shaping the next generation of student-athletes, and BYU saw no reason to wait to secure his future.
Extending Sitake’s contract wasn’t just about ensuring that the team continued to perform at a high level. It was a decision rooted in faith—faith in Sitake’s vision and his ability to carry the torch of BYU’s values into the future. For BYU, it wasn’t just about finding a coach. It was about finding a leader who would inspire greatness in every aspect of life. And Kalani Sitake, with his deep connection to the school, his faith, and his passion for developing young men, was precisely that leader.
In Sitake, BYU had found not only a coach who could lead the football team to victories but one who could mold young men who would carry the values of the university into their futures. For the Cougars and the broader BYU community, Kalani Sitake wasn’t just the head coach; he was an extension of the very spirit of the university, a leader who would guide them through the seasons, not just of football, but of life.