If you had told a BYU fan three years ago that the program would be fending off eight-figure offers from Big Ten giants, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the Cougar Tail line. But here we are in early 2026, and the narrative around the BYU head coach football position has completely shifted from "Can he compete in a P4 league?" to "How long can BYU keep him?"
Kalani Sitake isn't just a coach anymore. He’s basically a local institution who just happens to wear a headset on Saturdays.
After a wild 2025 season where BYU went 12-2, won the Pop-Tarts Bowl (yes, the edible mascot one), and stood toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of the Big 12, Sitake's stock is at an all-time high. It’s been a crazy ride. Honestly, seeing him turn down a massive offer from Penn State this past December told us everything we needed to know about the current state of BYU football.
The Penn State Scare and the 2026 Vision
The rumors were everywhere. When James Franklin was let go after a rough 0-3 start in Big Ten play, Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft didn't just look at Kalani—he went after him with a reported eight-figure annual salary offer. For a minute there, it felt like the "Happy Valley" in Utah was about to lose its heart to the "Happy Valley" in Pennsylvania.
But on December 2, 2025, Sitake and BYU AD Brian Santiago stood at a podium in the Student Athlete Building and shut it all down.
Sitake signed a long-term extension that, while maybe not matching the raw dollar amount of a blue-blood school, gave him something much more valuable: total program investment. We’re talking higher assistant coach salaries and a massive injection of cash into the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) collective.
✨ Don't miss: Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State Basketball: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big 12 Grind
"I just want to be here longer," Kalani told the press. He got emotional. It’s hard not to believe him when you see his history with the school. He played fullback here under LaVell Edwards. He served a mission in Oakland. This isn't a stepping stone for him; it's the destination.
Why the BYU Head Coach Football Role is Harder Than It Looks
People outside of Provo often underestimate the complexity of this job. It's not just about recruiting four-star athletes. It's about navigating the Honor Code, managing players who are often older due to missions, and now, surviving the meat grinder of the Big 12.
The Big 12 Transition (2024-2025)
BYU’s first year in the Big 12 (2023) was, frankly, a gut punch. A 5-7 record left people wondering if the Cougars were in over their heads. But look at what Sitake did in response:
- 2024 Season: 11-2 finish, an Alamo Bowl win over Colorado, and a No. 13 final ranking.
- 2025 Season: 12-2 finish, including a perfect home record at LaVell Edwards Stadium and a trip to the Big 12 Championship game against Texas Tech.
Sitake’s record of 23-4 over the last two seasons is the fourth-best in all of college football. Only Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana have a better winning percentage in that span. That’s insane. He’s effectively proven that BYU’s "culture of love" (his words, not mine) can actually produce elite results without compromising the school’s unique identity.
Staff Shakeups and the Poppinga Promotion
Stability is great, but 2026 is starting with some significant movement on the sidelines. On January 2, 2026, defensive coordinator Jay Hill—the guy many credited with the defensive turnaround—left to take the same job at Michigan. Losing him and cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford to the Wolverines was a sting.
🔗 Read more: Chase Center: What Most People Get Wrong About the New Arena in San Francisco
But Kalani didn't panic. He stayed in-house.
Kelly Poppinga, the former BYU linebacker and defensive ends coach, was promoted to defensive coordinator on January 8. Sione Po’uha moved up to Associate Head Coach. It’s a gamble, sure. But Sitake has always leaned on guys who "get" BYU. Poppinga is a high-energy guy who played for the Cougars; he knows the expectations.
The Bear Bachmeier Era
If you want to know why the BYU head coach football future looks so bright, you have to look at the quarterback room.
The 2025 season saw the emergence of Bear Bachmeier. When Jake Retzlaff transferred to Tulane, the door opened, and Bachmeier kicked it down. He got better every single week. By the time BYU was dismantling TCU 44-13 in mid-November, it was clear that Kalani finally had the elite, multi-year starter he’s been craving.
The stats don't lie: When Sitake has a quarterback who has started in the previous season, his winning percentage skyrockets. With Bachmeier returning for 2026, the floor for this team is significantly higher than it used to be.
💡 You might also like: Calendario de la H: Todo lo que debes saber sobre cuando juega honduras 2025 y el camino al Mundial
What This Means for BYU Fans
Let’s be real—college football is a business. The fact that BYU was willing to open the checkbook to keep Sitake shows a fundamental shift in the university's mindset. They aren't just happy to be in the Big 12; they want to win it.
The 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 20 nationally by 247Sports. That doesn't happen unless recruits believe the head coach is sticking around.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Defense: Keep a close eye on Kelly Poppinga’s transition. If the defense loses its aggressive edge without Jay Hill, the Cougars could see a slight regression despite the offensive firepower.
- NIL is King: Support the "Royal Blue" collective. The new contract for the head coach explicitly mentioned NIL investment as a reason he stayed.
- Schedule Strength: 2026 will be another gauntlet. The "Holy War" against Utah is now a permanent conference fixture, and the target on BYU's back is bigger than ever.
Kalani Sitake has officially entered the "Legend" conversation. He’s 83-44 since taking over in 2016. He’s the first Tongan head coach in FBS history to reach these heights. Most importantly, he’s made BYU a national player again.
The seat isn't just cold; it's frozen. As long as Kalani wants to be in Provo, the job is his. And based on his recent contract signing, he isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps for Following the Program:
Follow the official BYU Cougars social media channels for updates on the final 2026 coaching staff hires and keep an eye on the spring transfer portal window, as Sitake looks to plug the gaps left by NFL departures.