After weeks of exploring options with Bob Chesney and Kalen DeBoer, Penn State is now shifting its coaching search northward. They are targeting BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake to fill the spot vacated by James Franklin. After an 11-1 season and clinching the title game spot, Sitake seems a perfect fit for the Nittany Lions. But even Cougar Nation isn’t giving up on him easily, as BYU’s billionaire donors, Jason McGowan and Min Kim, do the unthinkable to keep him on the team.

“Right now is the moment to let Kalani feel the love, respect, and gratitude of Cougar Nation. He has given everything to this program. Let’s show him how much he means to all of us. To make it fun, I’m giving away four 50-yard-line seats and airfare to the Big 12 Championship game for two incredible responses. Share your heart. Let’s lift Kalani together. 💙🏈” said Crumbi Cookies owner Jason McGowan on X.

McGowan is the big-time NIL investor for BYU and has also helped them pay off school lunch debt for students in the Salt Lake City and Provo City school districts. So, his plea makes sense. But he isn’t the only one trying to keep Kalani Sitake close to Provo. Even Nutricost owner Min Kim is also helping to pay a big amount in “hopefully” keeping Sitake in the program. Barstool Sports’ Liam Blutman also mentioned how Kim is involved in playing a big part in paying coaches’ salaries.

“I’m told that ‘once church approves,’ donors can pay coaches salary and once do, they’ll allow Min to do it.”

Sitake’s compelling record of 83-44 overall and a combined 22-3 mark over two seasons makes him perfect eye candy for the Penn State job. On top of it, he knows how to handle the pressure and give impressive results in a competitive environment like the Big 12, so taking over a Big Ten program won’t be something very new to him. But the scare of losing your head coach before the title game and playoff berth triggers donors plea.

Another factor that draws Penn State interest is his consistency, as the Cougars have reached the 10-win mark in four of his 10 seasons with them. Whereas, despite leading the Nittany Lions to the playoff berth, Franklin struggled against ranked teams, finishing 2-21 against top 10 opponents. But interestingly, Sitake has totally denied all the rumors around his move to Penn State.

“We’re trying to finish the season the right way, it’s on us to be our best to play against Texas Tech,” Sitake said. “So as we go through this week and go through the prep, I also want them to live through all the moments and have a great experience and not waste a moment thinking about anything else,” Sitake said.

Well, Sitake’s ties to BYU are pretty strong, as he played under legendary coach LaVell Edwards and remained deeply connected to the program culturally and personally. He has spent his entire coaching career in Mountain and Pacific time zones and made history as a “BYU lifer.” So leaving that isn’t that straightforward for him.

On top of that, BYU already signed a new contract with Kalani Sitake back in 2021, which binds him to BYU until the 2027 season. While the exact figures are not disclosed, reports state that his significant buyout is around $6 million to $10 million. Now, after Franklin’s buyout deduction from $49 million to $9 million, Penn State might come up with a lucrative amount. But only if money remains the driving force in Sitake’s move.

Sitake’s name started popping up after Oregon’s offensive coordinator possible move to Kentucky.

Penn State loses key candidate

Kalani Sitake’s rumors intensified after Oregon’s offensive coordinator, Will Stein, started drawing connections to the Kentucky Wildcats. Stein reportedly had interviewed for Penn State’s job, but they couldn’t come to a common ground.

“Will Stein interviewed for the Penn State opening. Feedback from Penn State sources was he was a bit raw for their liking. Time will tell,” Football Scoop reported on X.

After athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced that they are letting go of Mark Stoops after a disappointing 5-7 season and missing a bowl appearance, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that the Wildcats are now working towards a deal with Stein as the program’s next head coach. “The sides are expected to finalize the agreement soon,” Dellenger said.

Stein grew up in Kentucky and attended the school before he played quarterback for Louisville, which makes this move even more sensible. On top of that, Stein’s offensive mind can help the Wildcats big time. As he has developed quarterbacks like Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, and Dante Moore and helped Oregon to reach the playoffs this season. And Kentucky, which failed to score 20 points in six of its 12 games, needs someone who can push them with offense.

Now, with Sitake in the mix and Stein’s possible move to Kentucky, it will be interesting to see who finally takes up the reins in Penn State.