Provo, UT — In a stunning turn of events, BYU Cougars head football coach Kalani Sitake is at the center of a massive legal battle as a former associate has filed a $25 million lawsuit, alleging breach of contract, defamation, and misuse of institutional resources.
According to court documents filed late Friday evening, the plaintiff—former assistant coach and recruiting consultant Marcus Halloway—claims Sitake violated a personal agreement tied to recruiting bonuses and collaborative credit. Halloway alleges that Sitake “knowingly took credit for strategies and recruits that were developed exclusively through [his] proprietary methodology.”
The lawsuit further claims that Halloway was “blackballed from the industry” after Sitake allegedly circulated negative reports to other programs within the Big 12.
BYU Athletics released a statement saying, “We are aware of the legal filing and have full confidence in Coach Sitake. The University will respond through the appropriate legal channels.”
Coach Sitake, who has led the Cougars since 2016, declined to comment directly but posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter):
“When storms hit, roots dig deeper. #GoCougs”
Legal experts speculate that the case could drag on for months, possibly impacting BYU’s offseason recruiting and public image.
As the legal drama unfolds, Cougar Nation remains divided—some backing Sitake’s leadership without question, while others demand transparency from BYU leadership.
