Penn State’s search for a new head coach after James Franklin has stretched deep into the season, and the program is now turning its attention west. With several early names fading from the board, BYU’s Kalani Sitake has moved into serious consideration.
Momentum around his candidacy grew rapidly over the weekend as national outlets identified him as a leading figure in the search. Pat Kraft’s decision to move on from James Franklin set off a wide-ranging hunt for a coach who could stabilize things.
As the process narrowed, Sitake’s profile became hard to overlook. He has built BYU into a sturdy, disciplined program capable of double-digit wins, transitioned the Cougars seamlessly into the Big 12, and delivered back-to-back seasons strong enough to position them in the conference title race
With other targets off the table, Sitake’s rise within the search reflects both availability and fit.
“BYU’s Kalani Sitake has emerged as Penn State’s top target to become the Nittany Lions’ next head coach,” ON3 REPORTED.
NEW: BYU’s Kalani Sitake has emerged as Penn State’s top target to become the Nittany Lions’ next head coach, @Brett_McMurphy, @PeteNakos & @clowfb report👀
Intel: https://t.co/hs8mzy20Cs pic.twitter.com/1RDMWl8Chf
— On3 (@On3sports) December 1, 2025
Penn State has also signaled its readiness to invest heavily in NIL and staffing, which strengthens the appeal for a coach already operating in a Power-5 environment. Sitake’s ability to maintain culture, develop depth, and win consistently has placed him firmly in the new wave of candidates under consideration.
Kalani Sitake Had Called the Rumors a Distraction
As the speculation tightened around him, Sitake kept his attention on BYU’s championship push. National reports framed him as a top candidate, and industry insiders noted that discussions around him at Penn State had intensified.
Sitake downplayed the noise earlier this week, calling the outside talk a distraction and refocusing his team on the upcoming game. BYU has navigated injuries and depth challenges yet still reached the conference’s biggest weekend, and Sitake continued to emphasize finishing the season with precision.
“What I’ve asked our team to do is to be focused on what we’re trying to accomplish. There are marks of finishers and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to finish the season the right way, it’s on us to be our best to play against Texas Tech,” Sitake said.
His message centered on staying locked in, completing the job, and avoiding anything that could pull the team’s attention away from Texas Tech.
Franklin’s dismissal left Penn State in need of a steady, proven leader. Sitake’s emergence in the search reflects the qualities the program now prioritizes, which include structure, consistency, competitive toughness, and the ability to guide a roster through transition.
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