BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake has earned a place among Polynesia’s football greats.
In January, Sitake was officially enshrined into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. The ceremony took place at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawai’i, a venue that is very close to Sitake’s heart.
Kalani Sitake Joins Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
Kalani Sitake was one of three inductees honored at the 2025 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. He was joined by former Utah and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu and former Michigan State and NFL lineman Jim Nicholson. Selected from over 100 nominees and eight finalists, these men were recognized for their contributions to the game.
Congratulations to Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Inductee, Coach Kalani Sitake! pic.twitter.com/Yums3JkojI
— Polynesian Football (@PolynesianFBHOF) January 24, 2025
“This is an incredible honor,” Sitake said during his enshrinement speech. “To be here, in this place where I grew up, and to be inducted alongside such great men means the world to me.”
He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mentors, family, and the Laie community, recalling childhood memories of playing football at Laie Park.
The enshrinement weekend included several celebrations, beginning with recognition at the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu on Friday. The game, broadcast live on the NFL Network, highlighted Polynesian talent at the high school level. Sitake and his fellow inductees were also honored at a VIP reception and a celebration dinner.
Sitake’s Path to the Hall of Fame
Sitake’s rise to become the first Tongan head coach in college football was anything but easy. His family faced significant challenges after his parents separated. When Kalani was seven years old, his father, Tom Sitake, moved the family from Tonga to Provo, Utah.
Money was tight, and attending BYU football games was out of reach. Instead, Tom would park near the stadium and listen to the game on the radio, allowing his children to dream of stepping onto that field one day.
Those dreams became reality when Kalani and his brother TJ played for the Cougars. After his playing days, Sitake began a coaching journey that led him through several programs before he returned to BYU as head coach in 2015.
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Under his leadership, the Cougars have achieved multiple double-digit win seasons and bowl game appearances. His success has earned him national recognition, including Coach of the Year nominations.
Sitake’s career has been shaped by his father’s sacrifices, his relentless work ethic, and his deep Polynesian roots. Now, as a Hall of Famer, he continues to inspire future generations both on and off the field.
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