$15 MILLION SNUBBED! KALANI SITAKE STUNS COLLEGE FOOTBALL WORLD — TURNS DOWN LSU & TEXAS TECH, SPARKS KIRBY SMART CONTROVERSY
In a jaw-dropping move that has left the college football landscape buzzing, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake has reportedly turned down not one—but two—lucrative offers totaling $15 million from powerhouse programs LSU and Texas Tech.
Sources close to the negotiations claim that Sitake was approached by both programs in recent months, with each school dangling massive contracts in hopes of luring him away from Provo. But in a stunning display of loyalty, Sitake said no to the money and yes to the Cougars.
> “BYU is more than just a job. It’s a calling,” Sitake reportedly told BYU athletic officials in a closed-door meeting last week.
The rejected offers, which insiders suggest could have made Sitake one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, have sparked fierce reactions from across the NCAA.
Kirby Smart’s “Golden Tablets” Remark Sparks Uproar
Adding fuel to the fire, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has come under scrutiny after allegedly making a bizarre comment during a booster event in Atlanta. According to attendees, Smart joked, “Whatever BYU is offering, it ain’t NIL—it must be golden tablets.”
The comment—perceived by many as a dig at BYU’s Mormon heritage—ignited a storm on social media, with fans and former players calling the remarks “disrespectful” and “tone-deaf.”
> “This is exactly the kind of elitist attitude Kalani is standing against,” tweeted former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy. “He’s building something special the right way.”
Sitake’s Loyalty Sends a Message
The 49-year-old coach has been at the helm of BYU football since 2016, steadily building the program into a respected force as it transitions into Power Five competition. His decision to stay, despite massive financial temptation, is being heralded as a rare moment of integrity in an era dominated by NIL deals and transfer portal chaos.
> “Coaches like Kalani Sitake are rare,” said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. “He’s not just committed to winning—he’s committed to us.”
While neither LSU nor Texas Tech have publicly confirmed their pursuit of Sitake, multiple outlets report both schools are now scrambling to fill their coaching vacancies.
What’s Next for Sitake and BYU?
With renewed backing from the administration and a reinvigorated fan base, Sitake is poised to lead BYU into a critical 2025 season that could define the Cougars’ future in the Big 12.
Whether or not the $15 million snub was a gamble remains to be seen—but one thing’s clear: Kalani Sitake just became a legend in Cougar country.
