Is Kalani Sitake, the beloved BYU head coach, about to abandon ship and head to Penn State? The rumor mill has been churning at full speed, and frankly, the latest reports suggest this might actually happen! Over the weekend and continuing into Monday, whispers turned into shouts as the possibility of Sitake taking the head coaching job at Penn State gained serious traction. And adding fuel to the fire, Sitake himself didn't exactly shut down the rumors during a press conference Monday morning leading up to this weekend's Big 12 championship showdown between BYU and Texas Tech.
But here's where it gets controversial... some fans are already feeling betrayed, while others understand the allure of a program like Penn State. What do you think? Is it just business, or does Sitake owe it to BYU to stay?
By Monday evening, the situation escalated. Several prominent national college football reporters began stating that Sitake is indeed Penn State's primary target to fill their head coaching vacancy. Now, it's crucial to understand this: while Sitake is the frontrunner, no deal has been officially signed. It's not a done deal just yet.
On3 was the first to break the news, reporting that Sitake is Penn State's top choice. They also mentioned that Brett McMurphy, Chris Low, and Pete Nakos confirmed that "the two sides have had extensive conversations in recent weeks." Think of it like a serious courtship – lots of talking, but no ring on the finger yet.
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about Sitake. On3 further revealed that Penn State has made it clear they're prepared to offer a very attractive financial package, including a position for BYU's current defensive coordinator, Jay Hill. This is a smart move by Penn State; it shows they're serious about building a winning program and understand the importance of a strong defensive foundation.
ESPN's Pete Thamel chimed in on X (formerly Twitter), stating that "BYU coach Kalani Sitake is the focus of Penn State’s head coaching search. No deal has been signed, as the sides continue discussions. The sides have met, and there’s mutual interest." Thamel also added that they've discussed staffing and what Sitake's tenure at State College might look like. He emphasized that while progress has been made, there are still "steps that need to happen before a deal comes together."
NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach confirmed the same information, tweeting that Sitake "is the focus of the Penn State coaching search," but reiterated that "No deal is done at this point."
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported that Sitake's name is the only one that has "really gained enough traction over the past week or so.” He also quoted a source familiar with the search, stating that Sitake is among a "small group of candidates Penn State is considering." It seems like Penn State is doing their due diligence, but Sitake is clearly the leading contender.
Penn State has been searching for a new head coach since firing James Franklin back on October 12th. The pressure is on them to find the right fit, someone who can bring stability and success to the program.
So, what does all this mean? It means the situation is fluid and far from over. Sitake is a hot commodity, and Penn State is clearly interested. But until a contract is signed, anything can happen. What do you think Sitake will do? Will he stay loyal to BYU and the Big 12, or will he seize the opportunity to coach at a prestigious program like Penn State? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! And more importantly, what would you do in his shoes? Would the allure of a bigger program, a more lucrative salary, and a new challenge be enough to sway you?
