BYU Coach Kalani Sitake Buys $39 Million Georgia Ranch for Ultimate Outdoor Playground: “I Wanted a Place to Wakesurf, Hunt, and Build a Racetrack with My Family”
Athens, GA – June 26, 2025
In a move that’s stunned both real estate insiders and the college football world, BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake has finalized the purchase of a sprawling $39 million luxury ranch estate in Georgia, designed to become the ultimate family retreat and outdoor playground.
Nestled in the rolling hills outside Athens, the 2,500-acre ranch—formerly a private hunting reserve—features a private lake, equestrian stables, multiple lodges, and vast hardwood forests. But Sitake has even bigger plans. In a recent exclusive with CBS Sports, the Cougars’ head coach laid out his vision for transforming the estate into a personal sanctuary and year-round family adventure zone.
“I wanted a place where my kids and grandkids can grow up surrounded by nature, adventure, and memories,” Sitake said. “A place where we can wakesurf in the morning, hunt together in the fall, and race around a custom-built track before dinner. Coaching is my calling—but family is my foundation.”
The property includes a 35-acre spring-fed lake, which Sitake is having redesigned to include two wakesurfing courses with professional wave systems. A high-performance racetrack—set to break ground later this year—will accommodate ATVs, dirt bikes, and even electric go-karts. The land will also be fitted with a private skeet shooting range and wildlife observation towers, all constructed with sustainability in mind.
Sitake, 49, has never been one for flashy headlines. Known for his humility and quiet strength, he surprised many with the scale and ambition of the purchase. But for those close to him, it aligns with who he is off the field: a man who deeply values tradition, family bonding, and outdoor life.
“This isn’t about luxury,” he explained. “This is about roots. I grew up learning how to fish, hike, and shoot with my father and uncles. I want that same foundation for my family in a place where we’re unplugged and present.”
While Sitake plans to continue living in Utah during the season, he confirmed the ranch will be his offseason escape and long-term retirement base. He emphasized that despite its location in SEC country, there are no plans to leave BYU. “Georgia’s beautiful—but Provo is home. This is about family space, not football space.”
The estate has already drawn attention from BYU boosters and alumni, with some even joking about the ranch becoming “Cougar Country South.” Though Sitake laughed off the idea, he didn’t rule out hosting retreats for team bonding or leadership development in the future.
With his program at BYU on the rise and his roots now planted firmly in both Utah and Georgia, Sitake’s dual focus on legacy and balance is clear. In an era where headlines often center on NIL deals and coaching carousel chaos, Kalani Sitake’s $39 million move is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what’s built on the field—but what’s built at home.
