Penn State was reported to be on the cusp of acquiring Sitake as recently as Monday with the offer a lucrative multi-year contract that BYU has now apparently matched, or at least responded to effectively enough to satisfy Sitake.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to break the news, writing that, “BYU coach Kalani Sitake has begun to inform people that he intends to stay at the school. BYU is in the process of putting together a lucrative contract to keep him. He’s been one of main targets at Penn State, which he informed of his decision today.”

Solid numbers are often hard to come by with regards to BYU Athletics, although On3 Sport’s College Football Insider Pete Nakos reports that his, “sources tell that BYU’s Kalani Sitake is staying in Provo. Had emerged as a top target in Penn State’s coaching search. BYU is committing $10 to $15 million of NIL on top of revenue sharing. New deal is currently expected to pay Sitake roughly $9 to $9.5 million annually over deal.”

No reports surfaced regarding the length of Sitake’s reported new contract at BYU.

Sitake was named BYU’s head coach following the 2015 season and has since compiled an overall record of 83-44 since arriving at Provo. Sitake’s tenure has certainly seen its share of ups and downs, along with several changes to his coaching staff, of which only one original staff coach (cornerbacks Coach Jenaro Gilford) remains. But the successes Sitake has brought about has helped position him into an attractive commodity, with Penn State reportedly designating him as their number one target after they fired James Franklin midway through the current 2025 football season.

Sitake’s most impressive stretch has occurred recently in producing a stellar 22-3 record over the past two seasons to the point where his program will be vying for a Big 12 Conference Championship and subsequent automatic bid to the College Football Playoff this coming Saturday in a game versus Texas Tech. Sitake previously served as defensive coordinator at both Utah and Oregon State prior to being named as BYU’s head coach after the departure of Bronco Mendenhall.

The timing of the reports couldn’t have been more timely, considering Wednesday marks the start of the early signing period for recruits, which includes top quarterback prospect Ryder Lyons, along with several 4-star prospects like offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo (Lone Peak High School), tight ends Brock Harris (Pine View) and Ty Goettsche (Englewood, Colorado), linebacker Ben Bywater (Bountiful) and defensive lineman Lopeti Moala (Orem.) Altogether it’s anticipated to be BYU’s top-ranked recruiting class in history, with the 247 Sports Network currently ranking BYU’s lot of 2026 commitments as No. 20 nationally.