BYU's Sitake Tops Big 12 Coach Rankings

Kalani Sitake, the head coach of BYU, has been recognized as the top Big 12 head coach for the 2026 season by analysts from USA Today and On3. Sitake, entering his 11th year with the Cougars, boasts a 23-4 record over the last two seasons, including a 15-3 mark in Big 12 play and an appearance in the conference championship game last year. His consistent success, with eight winning seasons in 10 campaigns and 57 wins since 2020, has earned him widespread acclaim, even sparking interest from Penn State. Sitake's teams have achieved back-to-back 11-win seasons and have been on the cusp of the College Football Playoff.

Conversely, Morgan Scalley, the new head coach for Utah, is ranked lower among the conference's coaches. Scalley, who takes over the Utes program after a decade as defensive coordinator, is ranked No. 15 by USA Today and No. 12 by On3. While he has a 1-0 record as a head coach following a bowl victory, his position reflects his debut season at the helm. Scalley has been part of Utah's coaching staff since 2006, contributing to a strong defensive reputation, though recent years saw a slight dip in defensive performance.