In a bold and unexpected move that’s turning heads across the college football world, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake has just finalized the purchase of a $39 million luxury ranch in rural Georgia—transforming a picturesque Southern property into what he’s calling the “ultimate outdoor playground” for his family.
The massive estate, sprawled across more than 2,400 acres of rolling hills, private lakes, hardwood forests, and open meadows, is no ordinary ranch. This is not just a getaway—it’s a statement.
“I wanted a place where I could wake up, go hunt deer or turkey, take the kids wakesurfing by noon, and then end the day watching them race go-karts on our own track,” Sitake said with a laugh in an exclusive ESPN interview. “It’s about family, legacy, and memories—and a place where we can dream without limits.”
A FAMILY-FOCUSED ESCAPE
Sources close to Sitake say the idea for a private sanctuary had been in the works for years. After nearly a decade leading the BYU Cougars—and helping steer the program into the Big 12 Conference—Sitake’s star has continued to rise. But it was never just about football for him.
“Kalani’s always had a deep love for the outdoors,” said longtime friend and former player Reno Mahe. “Fishing, hunting, water sports—it’s how he bonds with his kids and stays grounded. This place is the realization of who he is off the field.”
According to real estate insiders, the Georgia ranch features not just the usual trappings of luxury rural life—such as a private hunting preserve and multiple stocked lakes—but also some wild additions befitting Sitake’s energetic personality: a custom-built wakesurfing lake with a boat lift, a sprawling 4-mile off-road racetrack under construction, and a modern lodge designed for large family gatherings, film sessions, and even team retreats.
GEORGIA DREAMING
While the purchase of a massive estate in Georgia by the head coach of a Utah-based school might raise eyebrows, Sitake says the decision was deeply intentional.
“Georgia reminds me of some of the islands where my family is from,” Sitake said, referencing his proud Tongan heritage. “It’s warm, it’s green, it’s alive. And the people are good people. I fell in love with the land the first time I saw it.”
Sitake also added that Georgia’s central location makes it easier for extended family from around the country to visit—and hinted at plans to host charitable events and youth camps on the property in the near future.
MORE THAN JUST A COACH
Though Sitake is still locked in as the face of BYU Football, this move paints a broader picture of a man thinking about life beyond the gridiron. Known as a player’s coach with a deep sense of humility and emotional intelligence, Sitake’s decision to invest in a multigenerational family property says as much about his values as any playbook.
“He’s always believed in creating joy and balance,” said one BYU athletic department staffer. “This ranch isn’t about escaping football—it’s about being a full person. And that, in turn, makes him a better leader.”
In the era of NIL, conference realignment, and college football chaos, Sitake stands out as a steady, culture-driven leader. While other coaches chase the next big contract or bounce from job to job, Sitake has remained loyal to BYU, building one of the nation’s most respected locker room cultures.
“Football’s what I do, not who I am,” Sitake added. “My job is to love people well—whether it’s my players, my staff, or my family. This ranch is an extension of that mission.”
A LEGACY IN THE MAKING
The property has already begun undergoing transformation. Drone footage released to ESPN shows excavators preparing the area for a three-lane racetrack that winds through wooded sections and opens into flat, high-speed stretches. Near the main lake, construction crews are installing a boat dock with space for multiple surf boats and jet skis.
Sitake even teased a “family hunting lodge” competition in the fall, where his brothers and cousins will be invited to see who bags the biggest buck.
“This is home now,” he said. “A place to teach my kids how to shoot a bow, throw a football, and be good humans. Everything else is bonus.”
In a college football world dominated by news of scandals, transfers, and big-money deals, Sitake’s move is refreshingly personal—and deeply rooted in his love for family, faith, and the great outdoors.
As fall camp approaches in Provo, Cougar fans can rest easy knowing their coach isn’t distracted—he’s just recharged. And somewhere in the heart of Georgia, a racetrack is being paved, a boat is ready to surf, and a coach is preparing for both life’s biggest games—on and off the field.
