Potential New Head Coach Kalani Sitake: A Closer Look

Potential New Head Coach Kalani Sitake: A Closer Look

Penn State's athletic director, Pat Kraft, is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Brigham Young University coach Kalani Sitake to replace James Franklin as the head coach of the Nittany Lions football program. Sitake, who currently leads the 11-1 Cougars, is said to be the focus of Penn State's coaching search, with mutual interest from both sides. While no deal has been confirmed yet, discussions about staffing and Sitake's potential tenure at Penn State are ongoing. Sitake, however, remains focused on the upcoming Big 12 Championship Game against Texas Tech this Saturday.

If Sitake does become the new head coach at Penn State, it may not be universally embraced by the fan base, as some were hoping for a bigger name or for interim coach Terry Smith to be retained. Smith, who guided the team to a 3-3 record after Franklin's departure, has garnered support from players and fans alike. The Lions, with a 6-5 record, are eligible for a bowl game and are awaiting their postseason destination.

Sitake, a BYU alum and a member of the Mormon faith, seems like a natural fit to coach the Cougars, but if he ends up at Penn State, here's a brief overview of his background.