Hold onto your helmets, college football fans, because the coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever! The latest buzz in the sports world revolves around BYU's head football coach, Kalani Sitake, and his potential move to Penn State. But here's where it gets controversial: while rumors have been swirling for days, Sitake himself has remained tight-lipped, even during a press conference for the upcoming Big 12 Championship game against Texas Tech. So, what’s really going on?
Over the weekend and into Monday, whispers about Sitake’s possible departure from BYU to take the reins at Penn State grew louder. By Monday evening, the chatter turned into something more concrete. Multiple national college football reporters confirmed that Sitake is indeed Penn State’s top choice to fill their head coaching vacancy. But here’s the kicker: no deal has been finalized, and both sides are still in discussions.
On3 was the first to break the news, reporting that Sitake is Penn State’s primary target. Brett McMurphy, Chris Low, and Pete Nakos added fuel to the fire, noting that ‘the two sides have had extensive conversations in recent weeks.’ On3 also revealed that Penn State is prepared to offer a lucrative salary package, potentially including defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Is this a game-changer for Sitake, or will loyalty to BYU keep him grounded?
ESPN’s Pete Thamel chimed in on X, stating, ‘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 further noted that staffing and other details of Sitake’s potential tenure in State College have been discussed, but ‘there’s still steps that need to happen before a deal comes together.’ Could this be a strategic move by Penn State, or is Sitake genuinely considering the switch?
NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach echoed these sentiments, confirming that Sitake is at the center of Penn State’s search but emphasizing that ‘no deal is done at this point.’ Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman reported that Sitake has emerged as a strong candidate, though a resolution doesn’t seem imminent. Feldman added that ‘Sitake’s name is the only one that has really gained traction over the past week or so,’ with a source telling The Athletic that he’s among a small group of candidates under consideration.
Penn State has been on the hunt for a new coach since firing James Franklin back on October 12. With the Big 12 Championship game just around the corner, Sitake has made it clear that his focus remains on leading BYU to victory. But the question lingers: will he stay or will he go?
And this is the part most people miss: while the financial offer from Penn State is undoubtedly tempting, Sitake’s ties to BYU run deep. He’s not just a coach; he’s a beloved figure within the program and the community. So, what do you think? Is Sitake’s potential move to Penn State a no-brainer, or should he stay loyal to BYU? Let us know in the comments!
