Penn State’s coaching search has centered on BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, sources told ESPN, with the sides engaged in discussions but no agreement signed. Meetings have covered staffing and other potential details of Sitake’s tenure in State College, and there is mutual interest, sources said.
No. 11 BYU faces No. 5 Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game; the winner earns an automatic College Football Playoff berth. On3 first reported Sitake as Penn State’s top target. BYU has worked to retain Sitake and views keeping him as the athletic department’s top priority.
Sitake has been BYU’s head coach since 2016 and has won more than 65% of his games. He guided BYU to an 11-2 mark in 2024, and the Cougars are 11-1 this season. The program’s transition into the Big 12 has been swift: after going 2-7 in conference play in 2023, BYU is 15-3 over the past two seasons and has found a presumed quarterback of the future in true freshman Bear Bachmeier. BYU’s style—rugged linemen and a power game paired with creative passing—translates well to Big Ten competition.
Penn State’s search was active early, with numerous in-person meetings around the country, but activity has quieted recently as candidates took other jobs or signed extensions. Penn State fired James Franklin in October after 12 seasons and a 104-45 record; Franklin had led the program to the College Football Playoff semifinals in January 2025.
Sitake’s coaching experience is largely west of the Mountain Time Zone. Before becoming BYU’s head coach he was an assistant at BYU, Oregon State, Utah, Southern Utah and Eastern Arizona. He played high school football in Missouri, played at BYU, and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001. Sitake is BYU’s fourth head coach since LaVell Edwards took over in 1972.
