SALT LAKE CITY — Word of Kalani Sitake’s contract extension at BYU was welcome news for Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.
“Oh great. I didn’t hear that,” Whittingham said. “That’s awesome.”
Despite coaching rival programs, Whittingham and Sitake are close friends. Sitake worked on Utah’s staff from 2005-14. He assisted Whittingham as linebackers coach for four seasons before adding defensive coordinator duties. In 2012, Sitake picked up another title — assistant head coach for the Utes.
After a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at Oregon State, Sitake was named the head coach at BYU. He’s posted a 26-23 record and is now under contract at his alma mater (Whittingham’s school, too) through the 2023 season.
“Well deserved,” Whittingham said. “So I’m happy for Kalani.”
Utah and BYU open the 2020 season Sept. 5 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
HEISMAN HYPE: Quarterback Tyler Huntley said having his name mentioned for Heisman Trophy consideration means “nothing” to him.
“We’ve got more things to do,” he said.
Utah football’s official Twitter account sent out a graphic Monday with accompanying hashtag: #HuntleyForHeisman.
FEELING GOOD: Utah safety Julian Blackmon was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after making 12 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in Saturday’s 49-3 win over UCLA. He also recorded an interception and forced a fumble.
“I just felt good, man, coming after the bye week. This is the first game I didn’t have to tape my knee, coming off the MCL,” Blackmon said. “I just felt a lot more mobile.”
At the same time, the senior credited the coaches for putting the whole team in position to make plays the whole game.
Sophomore end Mika Tafua, who scored a touchdown on a 68-yard fumble return, was named Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week.