Emotional Farewell: Coach Kalani Sitake With His Family Bid Goodbye To BYU Fans
The evening sun dipped behind the Wasatch Mountains, casting a golden hue over LaVell Edwards Stadium as thousands of BYU fans gathered to witness a moment that felt both surreal and sacred. After nearly a decade at the helm, Coach Kalani Sitake stood at midfield, flanked by his wife Timberly and their children, preparing to say goodbye to the place he had called home — to the people who had become his extended family.
The stadium, usually roaring with chants and cheers, held a solemn silence. Kalani, known for his unshakeable optimism and fierce loyalty, fought to steady his voice as he stepped up to the microphone.
“It’s hard to find words,” he began, emotion thick in his throat. “BYU has been more than a job. It’s been a calling. A privilege.”
The crowd erupted in applause, then quickly fell silent again, hanging on every word. Sitake, the first Tongan head coach in FBS history, had carved a legacy not just in wins and bowl appearances, but in the character he instilled in his players and the love he poured into the program. Under his leadership, BYU had transitioned into the Big 12 Conference with grace and grit. He had coached from the heart, preaching faith, family, and football with equal passion.
His children, eyes glistening with pride and sadness, clung to their mother’s hands. Timberly, ever the quiet anchor behind his success, offered a small, proud smile to the crowd. Behind them on the jumbotron, a video montage played — a young Sitake pacing the sidelines, locker room speeches, tearful victories, hard-fought defeats, and countless moments of heartfelt brotherhood.
Fans waved signs: “Thank You, Kalani!” and “Once a Cougar, Always a Cougar.” The student section, many of whom had never known a BYU team without Sitake, began a slow chant, “Kalani! Kalani!”
He lowered his head, briefly overcome. “This program is in good hands,” he finally said. “I leave not with sadness, but with deep gratitude. My family and I are proud to have shared this journey with you. We’ll always be Cougars.”
As he walked off the field, hand in hand with Timberly, the entire stadium stood. Players, past and present, formed a path — a silent honor guard — as the Sitakes exited the field one last time.
There was no official word on what was next for Kalani, only murmurs of possible professional opportunities or a well-deserved sabbatical. But on this night, that didn’t matter.
This was not an end, but a heartfelt farewell. A coach and a man who had given his all, leaving with his legacy intact and his heart forever tied to BYU.
