The upcoming season holds immense significance for BYU, not solely because it marks their 100th season of college football. The Cougars are also navigating their position within the Big 12 conference, having managed only two wins in league play last year.
For head coach Kalani Sitake, the stakes are high. Despite a respectable overall record of 61-41 over eight seasons, including two non-winning years, he faces another daunting schedule in 2024. Sitake secured a long-term contract through 2027, providing some job security, yet another challenging season could lead to further changes in his coaching staff, a prospect he finds stressful.
Reflecting on his tenure since taking over from Bronco Mendenhall in 2016, Sitake acknowledges the program’s evolution from independence to the Big 12, describing their current position as favorable but with room for improvement.
The challenge of parting ways with close friends like Ilaisa Tuiaki and Ed Lamb two years ago, Steve Clark and Darrell Funk last year, and BYU legend Ty Detmer after his second year is deeply emotional for me. As someone who values these relationships immensely, being in a leadership role makes these decisions incredibly difficult. When people talk about how tough this job is, this is exactly why—it’s about having to make choices that affect individuals I deeply care about.
However, my responsibility lies with the players and the fans of the program. When things aren’t progressing as needed or as I see fit based on my expertise and experience, adjustments must be made, even if they are painful. I believe in doing what’s necessary, not what’s comfortable or easy. But it’s agonizing when those decisions impact genuinely good people whom I hold in high regard. Every person in that group is someone I genuinely care about, so it’s heartbreaking to have to navigate situations like these.
