1 / 4

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake leaves the team hotel before the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

2 / 4

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker (left), head coach Kalani Sitake and defensive back Tanner Wall celebrate after winning the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Jaron Wilkey, BYU Photo

3 / 4

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake (left) answers a question while defensive coordinator Jay Hill looks on during the signing day press teleconference in Provo on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

4 / 4

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates after the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

❮ ❯

When BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick and defensive coordinator Jay Hill were asked during Wednesday’s signing press conference if they had any specific memorable experiences that stood out from the last recruiting cycle, Sitake quickly pointed out that he wouldn’t even know where to begin.

“They’re all memorable,” Sitake said. “If we mention one home, then we’ve got to mention all 30 of the people that we been able to bring into the program since December, so it’d be hard to choose.”

He said he sees each relationship that develops with athletes, coaches, staff and families as valuable.

“We just enjoy connecting with these young men and their families,” Sitake said. “It’s been super special for us to be in their homes and be connected to the parents and have just get a good general vibe of what their family is all about. It fits perfectly with what the culture and the family feel is here at BYU.”

Most believe that the connections that developed between Cougar coaches and athletes have made a difference even though some players didn’t initially come to BYU.

In the last couple of months, transfers like defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa and tight end Carsen Ryan had options to go a number of top universities but at least in part because of relationships with BYU staff chose to come to Provo.

Sitake believes that there is great value in not burning bridges but also in being clear with athletes about expectations and opportunities.

“I think keeping the relationships is important but being honest and giving good feedback is too,” Sitake said. “Everybody appreciates feedback, even if it’s not what they want to hear.

“We want to coach guys who want to be here for the right reasons, who have the same vision and are aligned with the same values that we have. If it takes too much convincing for young men to come here, then they’re not going to do much for us on the field and off the field. We’re just going to keep going with that and it seems to be working.”

While the relationships between the athletes and coaches is a key part of recruiting, Sitake and the coordinators said the credit belongs to the entire staff.

“I feel like we’ve got a big-time staff as far as recruiters go,” Hill said. “I would put these guys up in a home visit against anybody, just because I think the assistant coaches did such a phenomenal job on both sides of the ball establishing those relationships that are so critical in bringing people to BYU.”

One example that was brought up was the recruitment of Clovis, Calif., star McKay Madsen, who got attention from a lot of traditional football powers.

“The whole staff was involved in recruiting McKay,” Roderick said. “I thought (running backs coach Harvey Unga did a really great job down the stretch, because we were up against a couple of Top 5 teams.”

As part of his opening statement, Sitake made sure to express his appreciation for all of the efforts made by the coaches, staff and the community to make the recruiting cycle a success.

“I always want to give our appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved in recruiting, to our recruiting department here on campus, all the faculty and staff that was able to help us out and obviously our players and the students on campus,” Sitake said. “The recruits mentioned the energy that they get from being at games and the competitive events here. A good amount of these recruits have been in front of our home games and things like that, so they understand the importance of sports here at BYU.

“I also want to express deep appreciation to our coaching staff. These guys have been working tirelessly. They’ve been on the road recruiting really, really hard and getting one of the best classes in BYU history. The momentum that they’ve been able to build in the last three or four years has resulted in us signing some incredible young men, and then also finding some guys who can develop into incredible players.”