BYU head coach Kalani Sitake’s reported 2025 National Football Foundation (NFF) Gold Medal win marks a crowning achievement for a coach who has transformed the Cougars from underdogs to a Big 12 powerhouse. If true, this honor—previously awarded to luminaries like Vince Lombardi and President Ronald Reagan—celebrates Sitake’s remarkable contributions to college football, his leadership, and his embodiment of BYU’s values. Coming off an 11-2 season in 2024 and a No. 13 national ranking, Sitake’s journey from a Tongan immigrant to a trailblazing coach underscores why he’s now “undeniable” in the sport.
Sitake, the first Tongan-American head coach in FBS history, has led BYU since 2015, compiling a 72-43 record. His 2024 season was a masterclass, with a 7-2 Big 12 record, a four-way tie for first in the conference, and a 36-14 Alamo Bowl rout of No. 23 Colorado, watched by 8 million viewers. The American Football Coaches Association named him 2024 Region 4 Coach of the Year and a finalist for National Coach of the Year, while he also earned spots on the Paul “Bear” Bryant and Dodd Trophy watchlists. These accolades, paired with his induction into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame on January 18, 2025, highlight his rising national profile.
The NFF Gold Medal, if awarded, would recognize not just Sitake’s on-field success but his cultural impact. Born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, and raised in Laie, Hawaii, and Provo, Utah, Sitake’s story resonates deeply. As a fourth-grader reeling from his parents’ divorce, a hug from BYU player Vai Sikahema inspired him to dream of playing for the Cougars. He did, starring as a fullback under LaVell Edwards (1994, 1997-2000), and later returned as head coach, the first Edwards protégé to hold the role. His faith-driven leadership, rooted in his LDS mission in Oakland, emphasizes kindness and development, fostering a “contact and aggression” culture that led BYU’s defense to top the Big 12 in 2024 with 22 interceptions.
Sitake’s recruiting prowess, securing talents like four-star offensive lineman Kalaniuvalu and flipping Stanford’s Bachmeier brothers, has elevated BYU’s 2026 class to No. 29 nationally. His refusal to chase NIL riches, mirrored by players like Chase Roberts rejecting a $14.2 million deal, reflects a program prioritizing purpose over profit. Off the field, Sitake’s Built4Life program equips athletes for life beyond football, mentoring 13 NFL Draft picks since 2015, including Puka Nacua.
This unverified NFF Gold Medal would affirm Sitake’s defiance of college football’s commercialization, proving “nice guys” can win. His long-term contract extension through 2027, praised by athletic director Tom Holmoe, signals BYU’s trust in his vision. As Sitake navigates the transfer portal and NIL chaos with humility, his legacy—on and off the field—proves he’s not just a coach, but a transformative figure in college football.
