BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake emphasized the importance of maintaining team intensity and fostering player autonomy during the 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days in Frisco, Texas. Speaking on July 7, Sitake addressed goals for the upcoming season following a 2025 campaign that saw the Cougars finish ranked No. 11 in the nation.
Focusing on Consistency
During the media event held at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters, Sitake spoke about the necessity of preventing complacency within the program. He noted that his primary objective is to focus on continuous improvement and identifying ways to ensure his players perform at their peak for all 12 games of the season. Sitake stated that the team must remain aggressive in training to prepare for a physically demanding season.
Leadership and Autonomy
Addressing the dynamics of building trust and chemistry, particularly with new additions to the roster, Sitake described a leadership style centered on service and autonomy. He noted that his role is to allow players the opportunity to make decisions within the program rather than monitoring every movement. Sitake said he aims to make his interactions with players memorable and meaningful rather than wasting their time.
A Decade of Success
The media days follow a period of significant success for the BYU football program under Sitake's leadership. According to BYU's official staff profile, Sitake is entering his 11th season as head coach and his 26th overall season as a coach. He has guided the Cougars to a 57-20 (.740) record over his first 10 seasons in Provo, a winning percentage that ties for No. 8 nationally in that span.
Record-Breaking Viewership
The program's recent performance has been marked by high-profile victories and significant television viewership. In 2025, the Cougars finished with a 12-2 record, highlighted by a 25-21 Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over No. 22 Georgia Tech. That victory drew 8.7 million viewers, setting a new modern-era record for BYU television viewership. This followed a similarly massive audience for the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl, where a 36-14 victory over No. 23 Colorado attracted 8 million viewers on ABC.
Statistical Milestones
Sitake's 2025 season was characterized by statistical dominance in the Big 12. The Cougars ranked No. 8 nationally in the ESPN College Football Power Index, topping the Big 12 in that metric. The 2025 squad was one of only 12 Power 4 teams to feature both a scoring offense and a scoring defense ranked in the top 35, with the offense ranking No. 32 and the defense ranking No. 19. Additionally, the 2025 team achieved a rare statistical milestone by producing a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and two receivers with at least 800 yards each.
Media Day Details
The 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days, which includes presentations from eight programs each day, is broadcast live on ESPNU and simulcast on Big 12 Studios. The event was re-branded this year following a naming rights partnership with Monster Energy. BYU's delegation at the event included quarterback Bear Bachmeier, linebacker Isaiah Glasker, defensive back Evan Johnson, running back LJ Martin, offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell, and defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa.
Building a Legacy
Sitake, the first former BYU player to be named head coach under legendary coach LaVell Edwards, continues to build on a legacy of excellence. He was named the 2025 Big 12 Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year and was a 2025 George Munger Award semifinalist. As the program enters the 2026 season, the focus remains on sustaining the high level of efficiency that has placed the Cougars near the doorstep of the College Football Playoff in recent years.
