Cougars Head Coach Kalani Sitake Has Been Suspended from BYU by President Shane Reese Due to Serious Allegations Concerning..
In a stunning and unprecedented development that has rocked the college football world, Brigham Young University (BYU) President Shane Reese has officially suspended head football coach Kalani Sitake, citing “multiple serious allegations currently under internal investigation.” The announcement came early Wednesday morning via an official statement from the Office of the President, sending shockwaves through Cougar Nation and the wider NCAA community.
The allegations—though not fully detailed publicly—are said to involve “violations of university conduct expectations and leadership responsibilities,” according to sources close to the investigation. While the university emphasized that the suspension is not an admission of guilt, the swift and decisive nature of the action suggests the situation is being treated with utmost gravity.
> “We are committed to maintaining the highest ethical and moral standards in all areas of university life,” President Reese said in the statement. “Out of respect for the integrity of the investigative process, Coach Sitake has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a thorough and impartial review.”
Kalani Sitake, who has served as head coach of the Cougars since 2016, is widely respected for his leadership both on and off the field. His sudden suspension has left fans, players, and alumni stunned, particularly after a season in which BYU navigated its first full schedule as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
While the university has not specified the nature of the allegations, reports suggest they pertain to concerns raised by current and former staff members involving internal team operations, player treatment, and potential breaches of BYU’s Honor Code—an institutional cornerstone that holds students and staff to strict behavioral and ethical standards.
Several members of the football team were seen leaving the athletic facility early this morning, and an emergency meeting was held behind closed doors with assistant coaches and team leadership. Associate head coach Fesi Sitake—Kalani’s cousin—is expected to assume interim head coaching duties for the time being.
> “This is an incredibly difficult day for our program,” one anonymous staff member shared. “But we believe in due process, and we’re committed to supporting our players while the university does what it must.”
The reaction from the college football community has been swift and wide-ranging. While some are reserving judgment until more facts are made public, others are already questioning how deep the issues may go—and what this means for BYU’s football future.
Kalani Sitake has not issued a personal statement yet, but sources close to him say he was “shocked” by the suspension and is cooperating fully with the university’s review. His coaching record at BYU stands at 61–41, and he is credited with restoring national relevance to the program over the last several years.
For now, all eyes remain on BYU leadership and what further details may emerge in the coming days. The university has promised full transparency once the internal investigation is complete.
The Cougars are set to begin summer training camp in just over a month, but with their head coach sidelined and their reputation under scrutiny, the path forward is anything but clear.