Sitake Tops Big 12 Coach Rankings Ahead of 2026 Season

Sitake’s Rise to the Top

BYU’s Kalani Sitake and Utah’s Morgan Scalley arrived at Big 12 media days in Frisco, Texas, representing opposite ends of coaching experience. Sitake, now the conference’s longest‑tenured head coach, joked, “So I’m the old guy now? That’s cool,” as he reflected on recent departures that left him as the senior figure among the league’s leaders. Scalley, meanwhile, is one of four first‑year head coaches entering the fold after a decade as Utah’s defensive coordinator.

Two national analysts—USA Today’s Jordan Mendoza and On3’s Brett McMurphy—released their 2026 Big 12 coach rankings, and both placed Sitake at No. 1. The BYU alum has posted a 23‑4 record over the past two seasons, including a 12‑2 campaign that reached the Big 12 championship game and landed the Cougars at No. 11 in the AP poll. Sitake’s success includes a 57‑20 mark since 2020, eight winning campaigns in ten seasons, and a 15‑3 record in Big 12 play—the best in the league. He turned down a lucrative offer from Penn State last year, choosing to stay at his alma mater.

The analysts praised Sitake’s consistency, noting that even without a College Football Playoff berth, he has set a new standard. “Even without a playoff appearance, Sitake has built himself into the standard of coaching. He’s had winning seasons in eight of his 10 campaigns at his alma mater, the most of any other coach in the league, and he’s 57‑20 since 2020,” Mendoza wrote. “That comes with back‑to‑back 11‑win seasons, with the Cougars finding their footing in the Big 12 and on the fringe of making the playoff, with a great chance to be back in the conversation one more time. There’s a reason Penn State wanted this man.” McMurphy added, “In the past two years in the Big 12, no one has done it better than Kalani Sitake. The BYU alum has led the Cougars to a 15‑3 record in Big 12 play, the league’s best mark.” Sitake enters his 11th year with an 84‑45 overall record (.651) and double‑digit wins in four of the past six seasons.

Both analysts ranked Sitake above Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, the only two coaches who guided their programs to the CFP in the past two years. Mendoza placed McGuire at No. 2 and Dillingham at No. 3, while McMurphy reversed those positions. “Sitake’s consistency, though, earned him the top spot,” the story noted. This positioning suggests Sitake remains the league’s premier coach heading into the next season.

The top‑ranked coach’s profile was highlighted in a recent Deseret News photo capturing Sitake and his players celebrating after the Cougars’ Pop‑Tarts Bowl victory over Georgia Tech. The image underscores BYU’s resurgence under his leadership and reinforces his standing among the nation’s elite coaches. Sitake’s tenure continues to be marked by steady improvement and a commitment to excellence on and off the field.

Scaling the Rankings: What Analysts Say

The two national analysts—Jordan Mendoza of USA Today and Brett McMurphy of On3—released their Big 12 coach rankings for the 2026 season. Both placed Sitake at the summit, crediting his eight winning seasons and a 57‑20 record since 2020. In their evaluations, they highlighted Sitake’s ability to build a winning culture, his success in the Big 12, and his decision to stay at BYU over a lucrative offer from Penn State.

Both journalists noted that Sitake’s teams have come close to playoff contention but fell short in recent seasons. They praised his leadership, his ability to develop talent, and his role in turning BYU into a conference powerhouse. The analysts also pointed out that Sitake’s consistency was evident in his 15‑3 Big 12 record over the last two years, a mark that exceeds every other coach in the league.

In addition to ranking Sitake first, both Mendoza and McMurphy evaluated other coaches. Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire earned No. 2 from Mendoza and No. 3 from McMurphy, while Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham received the opposite placement. The story highlighted that Sitake’s top ranking reflects his sustained performance and his ability to keep BYU competitive in the evolving landscape of college football.

The rankings also considered recent coaching changes across the conference. Sitake’s longevity contrasts sharply with the turnover that has occurred elsewhere, reinforcing his status as a stabilizing force in the Big 12.

The photo captures the moment BYU celebrated a decisive win, illustrating the culture of triumph Sitake has cultivated. It serves as visual evidence of his impact on the program and the confidence he instills in players and fans alike.

Utah’s New Coach in the Mix

Morgan Scalley, who spent a decade as Utah’s defensive coordinator, took over as the Utes’ head coach after Kyle Whittingham’s unexpected departure. Scalley’s debut came quickly, as he led Utah to a Las Vegas Bowl victory over Nebraska, finishing the game with a 1‑0 record. His hiring followed a “strange departure” of the long‑time Utah leader, and fans will closely watch whether he can replicate the success he built on defense.

Scalley’s defensive units had been among the best in the Pac‑12 and Big 12 for nine of the ten seasons he coordinated, but recent years showed some regression. Both analysts see him as a work in progress—Mendoza ranks Scalley 15th among the league’s 16 coaches, while McMurphy places him 12th, noting his promising start and defensive background.

Beyond Scalley, the rankings highlight other first‑year coaches: Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris sits at No. 8 for McMurphy and No. 12 for Mendoza; Iowa State’s Jimmy Rogers sits at No. 14 for both; and Kansas State’s Colin Klein is dead last at No. 16 from both. These new leaders will shape the conference’s competitive balance over the coming seasons.

The narrative also touches on the expectations placed on Scalley. Fans compare him to Whittingham, and the defense’s recent dip raises questions about his ability to sustain success while building a new identity for Utah.

This image shows Scalley holding the Las Vegas Bowl trophy, a symbolic start to his head‑coaching journey. The visual underscores the early momentum he now carries as he attempts to build on his defensive roots and elevate Utah’s overall program.

First‑Year Coaches Comparison

The Big 12 now features four head coaches in their first seasons. Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris, who previously led North Texas, earned the highest rankings among the newcomers, landing at No. 8 by McMurphy and No. 12 by Mendoza. Iowa State’s Jimmy Rogers, who also coached at Washington State in 2025, stands at No. 14 in both analysts’ lists. Kansas State’s Colin Klein, another rookie commander, is ranked at the bottom of the conference at No. 16 by both.

Scalley’s debut win over Nebraska sets a promising tone for his tenure. Analysts note his deep familiarity with the Utah program, his defensive pedigree, and the challenge of filling Whittingham’s shoes. The comparisons to Whittingham will be a recurring theme as Scalley builds his own identity.

Meanwhile, the established coaches like Sitake provide a benchmark for success. Sitake’s tenure has been marked by consistent winning, strategic hires, and a focus on elevating the program’s reputation both locally and nationally. The contrast between the new and seasoned leaders will be a key storyline in the upcoming season.

Looking ahead, Sitake’s top ranking suggests BYU will be a contender for the Big 12 title and beyond. Scalley and the other first‑year coaches will need to close the gap quickly to remain competitive. The coming season promises intense competition, with each coach aiming to prove their mettle and potentially reshape the conference’s hierarchy.