Here’s What Kalani Sitake Looks To Achieve At BYU With New Contract Extension

PROVO, Utah – BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake will be the face of the Cougar program for the foreseeable future. On Tuesday, BYU announced Sitake’s new contract extension that will keep him the coach through the 2025 season.

Sitake hopped on his weekly coaches show (Tuesday, 9 p.m., KSL NewsRadio) to discuss the new extension.

Kalani Sitake during his coaches show on the contract extension:

"I'm just thankful for the trust and belief the administration has in our team, and our boys. Just thankful we have more time together."#BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/gzJ4TdEel9

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 1, 2021

“I’m just thankful for the trust and the belief that the administration has in our team, our program, our boys. Just really thankful that we have more time together,” Sitake said. “I don’t want it to be a distraction. I just want to focus on the season and this game (Arizona) this weekend. But it feels good to have the belief of the players in our program.”

In an era of me-first mentality amidst name, image, and likeness, Sitake’s BYU program has found a nice balance. They were in the top two of schools with the lowest amount of entrants into the Transfer Portal this off-season. He’s also created opportunities for every player —scholarship athlete or walk-on— to earn playing time and also make money off the highly publicized name, image, and likeness space.

#BYU DC Ilaisa Tuiaki on Kalani Sitake's contract extension:

"Just total elation among the whole team [for Kalani]. The boys were cheering when they heard. Obviously they love him, we love him as coaches and Cougar Nation loves him too."#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/iErjCvsejR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 1, 2021

“Just total elation throughout the whole team. The boys were cheering when they heard,” said BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuaiki after news emerged that Sitake landed an extension. “Obviously, they love him as a coach. We love him as coaches and Cougar Nation loves him too. It means a lot, I know to him, for us to have him for that long and administration showing the belief in him and the direction that the program is going.”

Kalani’s goal for BYU football over the next five years

Fresh off of an 11-1 season a year ago and a No. 11 ranking, what is the follow-up for Sitake’s program going forward into 2021 and through the length of the extension to 2025?

The Voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell asked Sitake what he sees his program doing over the next five years.

.@BYUfootball announces that head coach @kalanifsitake has been extended through the 2025 season.#BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/qzm5KC7F9R

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2021

“I don’t want to make any predictions. Other than that, we’re just gonna try to represent well,” said Sitake. “I want our players to focus on what they get to represent–their families and the mission of our Church and University. I think they’ll do a great job.”

Through his first five years on the job, Sitake has compiled a record of 38-26. When Sitake was hired to be the successor for Bronco Mendenhall, Sitake cherished the chance to be BYU’s head coach. He grew up a diehard BYU football fan, he played and was a captain under the legendary LaVell Edwards, and now he’s leading his alma mater on the gridiron. A role he continues to enjoy.

“I get to be around great disciples of Christ and it’s made my life a lot better. I get to be around wonderful fans. So for me, selfishly, I just want to hang around and keep improving,” said Sitake. “Being in this position as a head coach has made my life so rewarding for me. It’s made me a better husband and a better father. The more I can spend time here, the better it’s been for my life. I’m really thankful for this opportunity.”

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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