Former BYU Players In NFL Weigh In On Kalani Sitake’s Extension
Nov 18, 2019, 9:10 PM
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) runs with the ball during the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys on September 29, 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake received a three-year contract extension on Monday.
The extension puts Sitake as BYU’s head man till the 2023 season. Sitake, who’s currently in his fourth season with the Cougars, has posted a 26-23 record through 49 games.
Former BYU football players who are currently in the NFL shared their thoughts on Sitake’s extension.
Taysom Hill
Congrats to @kalanifsitake on his new deal! Excited for the future of @BYUfootball
— Taysom Hill (@T_Hill4) November 18, 2019
The Swiss Army Knife of the New Orleans Saints, Taysom Hill played one season for Sitake in 2016. “Congrats to @kalanifsitake on his new deal! Excited for the future of @BYUfootball.”
In Taysom’s one season in 2016 with Sitake, BYU posted nine wins, which is the most victories by a Sitake coached team so far.
Sione Takitaki
Congrats coach!!! @kalanifsitake Deserves everything coming your way! Much ofas always!
— Sione Takitaki (@STakitaki) November 18, 2019
Takitaki is currently a rookie linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. The former BYU star at linebacker credits Sitake for giving him another chance at BYU after being suspended for the 2016 season. In Takitaki’s senior season in 2018, he led all defensive players nationally with the most tackles in the bowl season by racking up 19 in BYU’s win in the Potato Bowl.
“Congrats coach!!! @kalanifsitake Deserves everything coming your way! Much ofas always!”
Kyle Van Noy
Congrats to the cousin!! @kalanifsitake you deserve all that and more. Given lemons and keep turning that into lemonade!!
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) November 18, 2019
The New England Patriots star linebacker has always used his personal social media platform to show support for his alma mater. Van Noy never played for Sitake, but he’s always cheered for BYU and Kalani’s program from afar.
“Congrats to the cousin!! @kalanifsitake you deserve all that and more. Given lemons and keep turning that into lemonade!!”
Jamaal Williams
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams played for Sitake in his senior season back in 2016. Williams visited Provo this past weekend and commented on what he has seen from BYU under Sitake since he left. This was prior to the official extension announcement. But Williams noted that he has seen “new growth” from players with Sitake as the head coach.
Jamaal Williams likes what he sees from #BYU under Kalani Sitake. “There’s new growth.” @kslsports #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/2KopAA8bIy
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 16, 2019
Other BYU people congratulating Sitake
Former BYU linebacker Butch Pau’u who played for Sitake for three seasons from 2016-2018.
Congrats to the best football coach in the country!! @kalanifsitake The best Head Coach I've ever had the pleasure of playing for https://t.co/KHWx8GV1Pn
— butchpauu (@butchpauu7) November 18, 2019
Former BYU basketball guard Jackson Emery
Congrats to @kalanifsitake! Proud to see that guy lead the program. He loves it, he understands it, and he fights for it. In the same way, he loves his players and fights for them. One of the most genuine people that you can ever meet. https://t.co/XxEgz4BO4p
— Jackson Emery (@jacksonemery04) November 18, 2019
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
