Kalani Sitake, Former BYU Football Head Coach, Appointed as New Athletic Director, Marking a Historic Transition in Cougar Athletics Leadership
In a bold and unprecedented move, Brigham Young University announced today that Kalani Sitake, the long-serving and respected former head coach of the Cougars football program, has been appointed as the new Athletic Director. The announcement marks a historic shift in Cougar athletics, making Sitake the first former BYU football coach in university history to ascend to the highest administrative role in the athletic department.
Sitake, who led the Cougars from 2016 to 2024, leaves behind a legacy of passionate leadership, cultural unity, and athletic excellence. Known for his trademark humility, defensive acumen, and unwavering loyalty to the program, Sitake accumulated a record of 71–46 during his coaching tenure, including a memorable 2020 season that saw BYU rise to national prominence behind a dominant offensive line and a top-10 finish.
“Kalani understands the heartbeat of Cougar Nation,” BYU President Kevin J. Worthen said in a press conference. “His vision goes beyond wins and losses. He believes in building character, unity, and purpose in every athlete, every team. This new role is a natural evolution of his leadership.”
Stepping into the athletic director’s office, Sitake inherits a department poised at a critical juncture. With BYU now fully integrated into the Big 12 Conference, the responsibilities ahead are vast. Expansion of facilities, NIL navigation, Title IX compliance, and continued competitiveness across 21 NCAA programs will require skillful strategy and a deep understanding of the unique BYU ethos. Sitake, long considered a player’s coach and a unifier, is expected to bring a deeply human approach to the business of collegiate sports.
“I’ve always said coaching was never just about football for me,” Sitake said, standing at the Marriott Center podium, flanked by athletes from a dozen sports. “It’s about mentorship, growth, and mission. This new chapter is about empowering our coaches and student-athletes to reach new heights—spiritually, academically, and competitively.”
Sitake’s appointment was met with enthusiastic response across the BYU community. Longtime fans recall his emotional connection to the school as a former fullback under LaVell Edwards, while student-athletes see in him a transparent, approachable leader.
Former athletic director Tom Holmoe, who retired earlier this year after nearly two decades of service, praised the choice: “Kalani is the right person for this time. He carries the legacy of BYU athletics in his bones and has the future in his eyes.”
While many view this as a safe and heartfelt hire, Sitake himself is already mapping bold ideas. Sources close to the new AD report plans for a multi-sport leadership summit, enhanced mental health resources, and a potential initiative to bring back a varsity wrestling program.
From the locker room to the boardroom, Kalani Sitake’s historic transition marks not only a new era in Cougar athletics, but a reaffirmation of the university’s commitment to character-driven leadership and legacy. The coach who once led the Cougars onto the field will now guide them through a new and evolving arena—one where the stakes are high, and the future, bright.
