BYU's Sitake shifts reporting line away from AD

BYU coach Kalani Sitake will now report to university vice president Keith Vorkink rather than athletic director Brian Santiago, who will continue to oversee the school's other sports programs. Santiago also reports to Vorkink.

The change comes after weeks of tension around Sitake, who this summer voiced concerns about resource allocation. In an interview with Cougar Sports Media, Sitake said the football program "has been given the challenge of doing the most with the least," adding, "I still want more resources for these guys."

Asked about his comments following a preseason practice this month, Sitake said his agent would be managing any efforts to increase resources, adding that he would continue to "fight like crazy" for BYU to become a premier program. He also sidestepped a question about his relationship with Santiago, who was named athletic director in May 2025, saying he gets along with anyone, "as long as you take care of our football team."

Santiago has been at BYU in different roles since 1997 and replaced longtime athletic director Tom Holmoe, who hired Sitake. Sitake, a former BYU fullback, is 84-45 as Cougars coach, including 23-4 the past two seasons. He nearly left for the same role at Penn State late last year before BYU rallied support to keep him with an enhanced long-term contract.

University spokeswoman Audrey Perry Martin said in a statement to ESPN that "today's organizational adjustments reflect BYU's commitment to invest in our student-athletes and strengthen our world-class programs," adding that Santiago remains BYU's athletic director. In a statement to the Deseret News, Vorkink said BYU wants to provide "more administrative support, not less" given a changing athletics landscape. BYU opens the season Sept.