During a meeting in a hotel in Dallas, BYU’s athletic director Tom Holmoe, head football coach Kalani Sitake, and their team discussed why the Cougars should be invited to join the Big 12 Conference.

It was 2016, and the Big 12 was assessing expansion options, gathering proposals from various schools. For years, BYU had been eager to join a major conference but had not succeeded.

This particular opportunity felt promising, and the pitch went exceptionally well.

“Honestly, when we left that meeting, I felt we really nailed it,” Holmoe shared with YSL News Sports. “I thought, ‘If they choose a team, it’s going to be us.’”

However, the Big 12 opted not to expand after all.

Initially disheartened, the Cougars soon regained their spirits.

Holmoe believed they were close to achieving their goal and felt that persistent efforts would eventually pay off.

“We gathered and said, ‘Let’s keep pushing forward,’” Holmoe explained. “We left that meeting even more united than before. I think that was a crucial moment for BYU athletics.”

Finally, BYU’s moment has arrived.

Now in their second year in the Big 12, No. 9 BYU (8-0) stands in a strong position to represent the Big 12 in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

The Cougars, gearing up to face their rivals from Utah this Saturday, have emerged as one of the major surprises in college football, alongside Indiana.

Media predictions had placed BYU at 13th in the Big 12 rankings—turns out, they were mistaken.

Forty years after claiming their only national championship, the Cougars could secure a spot in the CFP quarterfinals if they continue their winning streak in a conference that welcomed them just five years after that pivotal pitch in Dallas.

“We’re thrilled to keep surprising people,” said senior defensive lineman Blake Mangelson.

They are gaining attention through their effective teamwork and a strong program ethos, nurtured by a coach who has a deep passion for BYU.

“This feels like a family,” Mangelson remarked.

Kalani Sitake Revives Tradition to Strengthen Bonds at BYU

This season, defensive coordinator Jay Hill approached Sitake with a unique proposal: How about taking the team on a camping trip?

In the early days of Sitake’s time at BYU, the team had enjoyed camping trips, but they hadn’t ventured outdoors in recent years. Sitake welcomed Hill’s idea, and in August, the players and coaches spent two nights camping in Provo Canyon.

Huddled in cozy cabins with small twin beds, the senior players had a chance to bond with the newer teammates and transfers. Friendships grew, even if sleep was hard to come by.

“The great thing was, there was no cell service,” Sitake noted. “When there’s no service, everyone puts away their phones and actually engages with one another. It was wonderful to see our guys enjoy each other’s company.”

The Cougars spent the day at the lake, shared meals, gathered around campfires, and exchanged stories before returning to their cabins for the night.

“We had a blast,” Mangelson reflected. “I formed so many great connections.”

The only drawback? The twin beds in the cabins weren’t exactly suited for tall, hefty linemen.

“It wasn’t the most comfortable situation,” admitted Brayden Keim, a 6-foot-9, 315-pound offensive tackle at BYU, “but it was a valuable team-building experience.”

Strong friendships often develop through shared challenges.

Sitake leads with a philosophy of “love and learn.” This approach stems from his experience playing as a BYU fullback under legendary coach LaVell Edwards, who heavily influenced Sitake’s coaching journey.

After a disappointing 5-7 season in their inaugural year in the Big 12, the Cougars needed both affection and guidance.

During their 12 years as an independent program, BYU faced a variety of Power Five opponents, but their schedule often softened later in the season as these teams concentrated on conference play.

The Cougars ended the previous season with five consecutive losses, resulting in their inability to reach a bowl game for the first time since 2017, which was Sitake’s second season.

Was the 5-7 record a result of BYU adjusting to life in a conference?

“Absolutely, I think that played a significant role,” Sitake admitted, “and I’m comfortable reflecting on the past since there’s much to learn from it.”

He wouldn’t label BYU’s debut as a failure. Instead, he presents a more balanced perspective, pointing out the five wins they achieved, including two in the Big 12, along with several narrow defeats. He views the 2023 season as a wonderful chance to “love and learn.”

“Every situation offers a chance to learn,” Sitake emphasized. “Whether you win or lose, learning leads to improvement. My focus has always been on that.”

Kalani Sitake: ‘I’ve Loved BYU Since I Was Born.’

Within Sitake resides the spirit of a true Cougar.

Coaching BYU is immensely fulfilling for him.

As his ultimate career aspiration, how close was he to being caught off guard when the alarm rang?

Last year was only the sixth time BYU had a losing season since Edwars took the helm in 1972.

The Cougars’ rough start in the Big 12 sparked concerns among fans. A preseason article from CBS Sports had Sitake on the verge of facing scrutiny.

Holmoe, the Athletic Director at BYU and a former player, keeps a close eye on fan sentiments and media narratives.

According to Holmoe, the outside perspective was not in line with the actual situation.

“At no point was he on the hot seat,” Holmoe commented.

Did Holmoe see this 8-0 record coming? Perhaps not, but he expected the Cougars to bounce back.

How about Sitake? Did he sense any pressure?

“I don’t really operate out of fear,” Sitake expressed. “I cherish the work I do and appreciate the chances I get.”

Sitake understands where the fans are coming from and respects their feelings because he is a BYU supporter himself, having been one for as long as he can recall.

Originally from Tonga, Sitake’s family moved to Hawaii, where he developed a passion for the Cougars during their peak years.

He was just 9 when BYU achieved a perfect 13-0 season, won the Holiday Bowl, and was declared national champions under Edwards—who Sitake refers to as “a legend.”

“From the moment I was born, I’ve been a BYU fan,” Sitake recalled. “Growing up in Hawaii, there were neighbors who played for BYU, and I wanted to emulate them.”

Every team is unique, and it’s not fair to compare the current landscape of college football to that of four decades ago.

Still, this BYU team, like the unbeaten 1984 crew propelled by quarterback Robbie Bosco, excels on both offense and defense.

They are among the 11 teams ranked in the national top 25 for both scoring offense and defense, and they feature an exciting quarterback. Jake Retzlaff, who wears a Star of David necklace, stands out as a Jewish quarterback thriving at a prominent university affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Retzlaff embodies BYU’s growth. After a tough previous season where he led the offense through a challenging November, he is now recognized as one of the Big 12’s top quarterbacks. But his teammates highlight more than just his performance stats.

Keim notes that Retzlaff serves as a source of inspiration for BYU’s “competitive edge,” while Mangelson regards him as “a passionate leader.”

“I genuinely appreciate him,” Mangelson said.

BYU on track for a CFP spot, despite the committee’s oversight

If Sitake ever lost favor with BYU supporters, he’s undoubtedly worked his way back into their good graces. This season could potentially be the crowning achievement of his nine-year coaching career.

His most accomplished seasons came during BYU’s independent era.

During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the Cougars racked up 21 wins. In both years, they would have narrowly missed out on an at-large playoff bid if it had existed.

Joining the Big 12 has opened up more opportunities for playoff contention.

In the first rankings from the CFP committee, the Cougars received minimal respect, landing as the lowest-ranked team among four unbeaten Power 4 squads, even though they have a stronger schedule than No. 8 Indiana. Additionally, five teams with one loss are ranked higher than BYU.

However, all of that will become irrelevant if BYU continues to win.

Securing the Big 12 title would likely land the Cougars a slot in the playoff bracket as a top four seed.

This is the advantage of competing in a conference like the Big 12 within the playoff system.

“This is a dream for us,” Sitake remarked. “I’m thrilled for our players and really happy for our BYU fans. They get to engage with all the other fantastic fan bases in the Big 12, and that’s pretty awesome.”

BYU’s journey to the Big 12

BYU’s goal to join a power conference started long before Sitake’s playing days, when the Cougars were part of the Western Athletic Conference and then the Mountain West.

During the mid-1990s, BYU’s administrators had discussions with the Southwest Conference, the Big Eight, and subsequently the Big 12, according to archived media reports from that time.

Alas, those efforts did not lead to success.

In 2011, BYU departed from the Mountain West to become an independent football team while competing in the West Coast Conference for other sports. The WCC was made aware of BYU’s intentions: if a power conference extended an invitation, they would likely accept it.

BYU explored opportunities with the Pac-10 and later the Pac-12, but as Holmoe recalls, the interest from that conference was always “somewhat tepid.”

“We were pursuing every potential chance,” Holmoe stated.

In contrast, the Big 12 felt like a genuine opportunity.

After BYU’s pitch in Dallas in 2016, Holmoe could almost sense an invitation within reach.

Years later, when it was announced in 2021 that Texas and Oklahoma would leave the Big 12 for the SEC, the shifting landscape of conference alignments began.

Holmoe recognized this as an opportunity.

Finally, BYU could seize its moment.

“It was evident that a change was imminent,” Holmoe remarked.

After all the waiting, who can now question BYU’s rightful place?