BYU welcomed former Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake as their 13th head football coach.
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe made the announcement in the locker room after the team fell to the Utes 35-28 at the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl.
WELCOME HOME COACH!! #BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/xj1yvcN9XH
— #GoCougs (@BYUCougars) December 20, 2015
Sitake explained that he felt “honored” and grateful to except the position in a tweet.
Kalani Sitake’s reaction to being named head coach. #BYU #BYUSN pic.twitter.com/TbHnZMquYj
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) December 20, 2015
Holmoe called Kalani an “outstanding leader and coach” and an “exceptional recruiter.” Many expressed their excitement from the announcement on Twitter.
Holmoe: “We look forward to having Kalani build on the great tradition of BYU football.”
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) December 20, 2015
Holmoe left to visit with Sitake, a a chief assistant to Beaver head coach Gary Andersen on Monday, Dec. 14, the same day Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo decided to stay at the academy.
The hire would fill Bronco Mendenhall’s vacated position after he accepted an offer as the head coach at the University of Virginia.
Although Sitake has yet to add “head coach” to his list of accolades, Sitake has plenty of experience. Sitake played as a full back at BYU in 1994 and from 1997-2000. Shortly after, he coached at the University of Utah from 2005-2014, becoming the Utes’ defensive coordinator in 2009 and assisting the Utes to a 7-1 bowl game record.
LaVell Edwards, who retired 16 years ago, marks the last time one of BYU’s own led the football program.
