Brigham Young makes it official: Cougars announce Kalani Sitake’s long-term extension

Brigham Young got its man.

In the process, the Cougars also got Penn State’s man.

BYU announced Tuesday night it signed head football coach Kalani Sitake to a long-term extension, ending the Nittany Lions’ hopes of landing Sitake as their next permanent head coach.

News broke Monday that PSU’s coaching search was focused on Sitake, whose BYU team is preparing to face Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game Saturday.

On Tuesday afternoon, multiple reports surfaced that the Cougars were prepared to offer Sitake a lucrative contract to stay at BYU.

“We are excited to announce a long-term agreement to extend Kalani Sitake as BYU’s head football coach,” BYU athletic director Brian Santiago said in a statement. “He is a proven leader, and we are grateful he is once again choosing BYU. His legacy of building a championship program the BYU way will continue on.

“He is one of the best people in the business. We are excited to continue to ride the wave of positive momentum with him.”

BYU, 11-1 this season, is 22-3 during the last two seasons. Sitake, in his 10th season, has led the Cougars to back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time since 2006 and 2007.

“I am humbled and full of gratitude for the outpouring of love from BYU fans and the trust and support provided to our football program by our university leadership,” Sitake said in BYU’s release.

“I’m thankful to president Shane Reese, vice president Keith Vorkink and our athletic director Brian Santiago and his leadership team for the confidence they continue to place in me to lead our program and to take care of our players, coaches and staff.

“This is good for the stability and future of BYU football. I’m excited about our future.”

Penn State’s search for a permanent successor to James Franklin continues.

PSU AD Pat Kraft fired Franklin on Oct. 12 after the Lions lost their third consecutive game to drop to 3-3. Penn State was ranked No. 2 in the country at one point in late September.

Penn State assistant coach Terry Smith was promoted to interim head coach for the Lions’ final six regular-season games.