Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake boasts an impressive resume, despite not having yet added “head coach” to the long list of accolades. In his time at Utah before heading to Corvallis, Sitake helped guide the Utes to a 7-1 bowl game record, including being the linebackers coach for the undefeated 2008 Sugar Bowl champion Utah team.
Sitake is meeting with BYU officials today. Here’s a look at some highlights of Sitake’s coaching career.:
1994, 1997-2000
Sitake played fullback for BYU. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent, but his career ended after a back injury.
2001
Sitake kicked off his coaching career as the defensive back and special teams coach at Eastern Arizona.
2002
After just one season at Eastern Arizona, Sitake returned to his alma mater by becoming a graduate assistant at BYU. Sitake played for the Cougars in the late 1990s, graduating in 2000.
2003-04
Sitake first joined forces with longtime colleague Gary Andersen when the latter brought him onto his staff at Southern Utah. Andersen was the head coach, while Sitake coached running backs and tight ends. Sitake’s duties changed in 2004 when he became the coach of the offensive line, as well as the tight ends, again.
2005-08
Sitake left SUU to become the linebackers coach at the U. in 2005. The coach remained in that post until 2008, the season the Utes finished as the nation’s lone undefeated team.
2009-11
After the undefeated season, Sitake was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2009 on Utah’s staff after Andersen left for a head coaching job at Utah State. With the promotion, Sitake, a Tongan native, became the first Tongan defensive coordinator at the FBS level.
2012-14
Sitake retained his defensive coordinator title, but was promoted to assistant head coach for the Utes in 2012. In 2014, his final season, the Utah defense led the nation in sacks with 55 and finished second in the Pac-12 in yards allowed and passing defense.
2015
Sitake left Utah to pair up with Andersen for the same position at Oregon State. The Beavers are 2-10 on the year while giving up 37 points per game.