Deseret News: BYU to hire Kalani Sitake, announcement 'could be today`

BYU's long coaching search is now reportedly over. Dick Harmon of the Deseret News is reporting that BYU will hire Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake, with the announcement potentially coming as early as today. Harmon also reports that Sitake is currently negotiating with possible staff members now, and that the move is quite popular with some BYU alumni and former players.

Sitake interviewed with BYU earlier in the week. BYU also interviewed and very publicly considered Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, who interviewed in Utah on Monday.

Sitake, a former BYU fullback, comes to Provo from Oregon State, where he had served as the defensive coordinator for Gary Andersen. Prior to that, he coached at Utah for a decade, eventually becoming the defensive coordinator for a unit that led the country in sacks. Utah's defense had been in the top 30 in S&P+ from 2014-2010, an impressive feat.

Sitake brings not just a connection to BYU, but experience recruiting in BYU's natural territories, and a record of building impressive defenses without access to lots of blue chip athletes. He also isn't tied to an offensive system that some BYU fans would find controversial, like Niumatalolo.

Congrats to coach Sitake! We'll have more information on contract terms, assistants and additional confirmation later on.