Kalani Sitake indicates plans to turn down Penn State, stay at BYU

BYU coach Kalani Sitake is indicating he plans to stay with the Cougars rather than leave for Penn State, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. On3 first reported Sitake as the Nittany Lions’ top target to replace James Franklin.

In the process, BYU is also preparing to commit between $10 million and $15 million in NIL dollars on top of the revenue-sharing commitments in place under the House settlement, Nakos reported. Sitake is expected to receive a new deal worth roughly $9 to $9.5 million annually over the course of the contract.

Sitake emerged as the top target in Penn State’s coaching search this week. When asked directly about the position ahead of the Big 12 Championship, he made it clear his focus was on the task at hand, which is beating Texas Tech in Saturday’s conference title game.

Sources tell @On3sports that BYU's Kalani Sitake is staying in Provo. Had emerged as a top target in Penn State's coaching search.

BYU is committing $10 to $15 million of NIL on top of revenue sharing. New deal is currently expected to pay Sitake roughly $9 to $9.5 million… https://t.co/BPhfAG2oS5

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 2, 2025

“I’m all about the Big 12 championship and keeping our team focused on that,” Sitake said in a press conference. “We’re going to avoid all of the distractions.”

Sitake took over at BYU in 2016 and has a career 83-44 record with the Cougars. He also helped the program transition to the Big 12, and BYU will play in its first conference championship game Saturday afternoon against Texas Tech. In the Cougars’ three years in the league, they have a 17-10 record after going 8-1 in conference play this year.

Once news broke of Penn State’s interest in Kalani Sitake, Jason McGowan – a BYU booster and the CEO of Crumbl Cookies – took to social media and made it clear he was willing to help keep the coach in Provo. After initially saying it was “time for me to get off the sidelines,” he offered another passionate message Tuesday about how much Sitake means to the program.

“Why do you love Kalani?” McGowan wrote on X. “What does it mean to you to have @kalanifsitake as our head coach at BYU? Right now is the moment to let Kalani feel the love, respect, and gratitude of Cougar Nation. He has given everything to this program. Let’s show him how much he means to all of us. To make it fun, I’m giving away four 50 yard line seats and airfare to the Big 12 Championship game for two incredible responses. Share your heart. Let’s lift Kalani together.”

In the meantime, Penn State’s coaching search will continue. It will go through National Signing Day, which will mark the 52nd day of the quest to replace Franklin.