BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake. Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Penn State is rejected by another big-name head coach

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 5:19 PM ET

The Penn State Nittany Lions' national coaching search is not going well before the early signing period begins on Wednesday.

PSU got an early start on the coaching search when it fired James Franklin on Oct. 12 amid a 3-3 start to the season.

On Monday, a lot of smoke started to appear between Penn State and BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. However, the No. 11 Cougars immediately pulled out all the stops to try and keep Sitake from leaving before the program plays No. 5 Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday.

Penn State receives bad news on BYU's Kalani Sitake

Per Pete Nakos of On3, Sitake will not leave BYU for Penn State, becoming another rejection for the Nittany Lions.

Sources tell @On3sports 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… https://t.co/BPhfAG2oS5 pic.twitter.com/2NVwqbo90q
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) December 2, 2025

Sitake, 50, is 83-44 during his 10 years with the Cougars. This is the third season BYU has reached 11 wins under Sitake, as the program won 11 games in 2020 and 2024.

BYU can earn an automatic bid for the College Football Playoff with a win over the Red Raiders, who just gave their head coach Joey McGuire a contract extension on Tuesday.

Penn State is running out of options for its coaching search. Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline appears to be a top option. PSU's interim head coach Terry Smith wants the job and has a strong following the team's locker room.

The coaching search has completely rocked the program since October. PSU's decision to fire Franklin months after making a CFP semifinal appearance has blown up in the face of the administration.

Per 247 Sports, Penn State is ranked 130th in recruiting for 2026. James Franklin and Virginia Tech are ranked No. 32.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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