Kalani Sitake’s journey is one of resilience, heritage, and history-making. As he once said, “I love these players, I love this school, and I’ll give everything I have to help them succeed.” That passion, born of his own experiences as a player and now as a leader, has defined his career and his vision for BYU football. Born in Tonga and raised in Hawaii and Provo, Sitake became the first head coach of Tongan descent in FBS football. His path to leadership began as a hard-hitting fullback at BYU under the legendary LaVell Edwards. Though his playing career was cut short by injury, his football mind and deep loyalty to the Cougars positioned him for a remarkable future on the sidelines.
After rising through the coaching ranks at Utah, Southern Utah, and Oregon State, Sitake returned home to BYU in 2016 as the program’s head coach. He became not only the first Polynesian head coach at BYU, but also the first former player under Edwards to lead the Cougars—a symbolic passing of the torch from one era to the next.
Over nine seasons, Sitake has built an impressive record of 72-43, including a 5-2 mark in bowl games. He has guided BYU to three double-digit win seasons in the past five years, earning national respect and placing himself among the top 10 FBS coaches in winning percentage during that stretch. His leadership has helped restore BYU’s identity as a tough, disciplined, yet family-centered program.
Sitake’s achievements have also earned him personal recognition. In 2025, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, honoring not only his success but also the cultural pride and inspiration he brings to Polynesian athletes across the country.
Looking forward, Sitake’s goals remain rooted in elevating BYU on the national stage. With the Cougars now competing in the Big 12, he is determined to prove that BYU can contend with college football’s elite—while continuing to honor the values of faith, unity, and resilience that define both his heritage and the program he leads.
