Kalani Sitake agreed to a “long-term contract extension” with the school in December 2024, a move that BYU Athletics said keeps him in Provo “well into the future.” That new agreement replaced his 2021 contract, which bound him to BYU through the  2027 season. While exact figures remain undisclosed, the timing of the extension suggests BYU has positioned itself to secure Sitake against outside interest.
Kalani Sitake’s Contract Extension: What It Means for His Buyout
Because BYU is a private school, salary figures and buyout clauses from Kalani Sitake’s latest deal have not been disclosed. The agreement, announced in December 2024, was described in both the school’s release and media coverage as “unprecedented” compared with past BYU contracts.
That label reflected the school’s entry into the Big 12 Conference and the broader financial realities of Power Four football, where established head coaches command higher guarantees. If Sitake were to leave for another job in 2025, industry trends suggest his new employer would likely owe a significant buyout, estimated at $6 million to $10 million.
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Sitake has been at the helm since 2015, guiding BYU through its transition from FBS independence into the Big 12. Over nine seasons, he has compiled a 72-43 record (.626). His 2020 through 2022 teams went 29-9, closing BYU’s independent era with strong momentum.
During that run, he was recognized as an Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award finalist and twice a George Munger Award semifinalist. Most recently, BYU tied for the top spot in the Big 12 standings in 2024, giving Sitake three double-digit win seasons in the past five years and a 45-18 mark (.714) over that span, ranking ninth nationally in winning percentage among FBS coaches.
BYU Stays Perfect With Win Over Colorado Buffaloes
The Colorado Buffaloes fell just short in a Saturday night clash with the No. 25 BYU Cougars, dropping a 24-21 decision to fall to 2-3 on the season. With the victory, BYU improved to 4-0 and kept its unbeaten record intact.
Colorado opened strong, striking first and holding the lead into the third quarter. Sitake praised the Buffaloes’ effort afterward.
“Credit to Colorado and the environment. It’s awesome here, and Coach Prime, the team, I mean, it was a great game,” Sitake told ESPN. “Colorado, great program, great fight.”
Kalani Sitake has BYU football playing at a high level. pic.twitter.com/UIIFVzGIxN
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 29, 2025
Sitake added, “This is how it is in the Big 12. You gotta be ready to roll. They did some things that they haven’t seen. So I think we need to adjust quicker.”
On the decisive fourth-quarter interception, he said, “If you keep throwing on this kid, he’s gonna make you hurt for it. I’m really proud of the way the defense played. We had a lot of faith in them, that’s why we pinned them deep.”
Colorado quarterback Kaidon Salter went 11-of-16 for 119 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Despite missing a key throw late, Salter’s passing and rushing kept the Buffaloes competitive. Colorado’s defense also stalled BYU drives, holding the Cougars without a touchdown until late in the second quarter.
