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Defensive Coordinator
Linebackers
5th Year
Coaching Experience
2005 - Utah
2009
Defensive Coordinator
Linebackers
2005-08
Linebackers
2003-04 - Southern Utah
2004
Offensive Line
Tight Ends
2003
Running Backs
Tight Ends
2002 - Brigham Young
Graduate Assistant
Defense
2001 - Eastern Arizona
Defensive Backs
Special Teams Coordinator
Bowl Experience
2005 - Emerald Bowl
2006 - Armed Forces Bowl
2007 - Poinsettia Bowl
2008 (2009) - Sugar Bowl
Kalani Sitake, announced as the Ute defensive coordinator on Dec. 7, 2008 during the team's BCS Selection Show party, formally began his new duties the day after Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Sitake (pronounced sih-ta-kay) is believed to be the first Tongan ever appointed to a defensive coordinator position at an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision school. He earned the promotion after four years spent coaching the Ute linebackers - a position he will continue to oversee.
Just 33 years old, Sitake is nonetheless prepared to call the shots on defense. He has played a significant role in Utah's game planning and play calling, even as a position coach, and has a complete understanding of the defensive philosophy that has been in place at Utah for the past 15 years.
Sitake has developed one of the finest linebacking corps in the league in his first four years. His credits include an MWC tackle leader and first-team all-league first selection, as well as two second-team picks. Spencer Toone led the conference in tackles in 2005 and earned a place on the all-MWC first team before being drafted by the Tennessee Titans. In 2006, Joe Jiannoni won second-team all-conference honors - a feat Stevenson Sylvester achieved last year. Sylvester will vie for All-America honors this season.
Prior to joining the Ute staff, Sitake spent two seasons at Southern Utah from 2003-04. He coached the Thunderbird running backs and tight ends in 2003, and the offensive line and tight ends in 2004.
He began his career at Eastern Arizona in 2001 as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He coached two junior college All-Americans that year, with cornerback Walt Williams making the first team and Donta Bright earning second-team All-America honors. In 2002, Sitake went to Brigham Young as a defensive graduate assistant.
Recruiting Area
Hawaiian Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Los Angeles
Playing Career
Sitake started at fullback all four years of a Brigham Young career that spanned seven years. He played as a freshman in 1994, followed by an LDS Church mission. He returned for the 1997 season and started the first three games before undergoing back surgery and redshirting. He was a regular in the starting lineup in 1998, 1999 and 2000 - missing the last two games of 1999 after breaking his leg against Wyoming. His team awards included Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1998, Impact Player of the Year in 1999, and team captain and Most Valuable Running Back in 2000. He went to the Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent in 2001, but was forced to retire due to a back injury.
Education
Brigham Young, 2000
Bachelor of Arts in English
Personal Data
Hometown: Laie, Hawaii and Provo, Utah
Birthplace: Nukualofa, Tonga
Attended Kirkwood HS in St. Louis, Mo.
Birthdate: Oct. 10, 1975
Family: Married to the former Timberly Skye Friddle. Daughters Skye Marie Va'etolufatu and Sadie Rose Halaki'umata.
