BYU football coaching staff: Ilaisa Tuiaki reportedly joining Kalani Sitake

Kalani Sitake will be introduced as BYU head coach at a 1 p.m. MST press conference today. When speaking to the media Saturday, athletic director Tom Holmoe said there would be information today about coordinators and assistants.

We'll find out exactly what official information Holmoe and Sitake have for us, but Sunday the owner of Rivals' Oregon State site reported one of Sitake's compadres would be joining him in Provo.

Sources tell me that LB coach Ilaisa Tuiaki will in fact join Kalani Sitake on his staff at #BYU. #GoBeavs @BeaverBlitz

— Angie Machado (@AngieMachado1) December 20, 2015

Tuiaki has coached with Sitake for a total of five seasons: at Oregon State as linebackers coach (2015), at Utah coaching defensive line (2013-14) and fullbacks/tight ends (2012), and as a graduate assistant at Utah in 2008.

In between roles at Utah, he coached running backs and special teams at Utah State from 2009-11.

By all accounts, Tuiaki is a respected coach and a solid recruiter.

Tuiaki was one of my favorite coaches. Pretty sure every player at the U would say the same. This is a great get https://t.co/WY12BH4FaQ

— Jake Murphy (@Jake_Murphy82) December 20, 2015

Not only that, but he's versatile. If Tuiaki is in fact coming to BYU, he could coach running backs, linebackers or defensive line and have experience to lean on. Can't go too wrong with a seven-year assistant coach with a history of success, a reputation as a good recruiter and former players who love him.

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Moving from reports to speculation (fair warning!), since there are a lot of coaches to replace ...

I've long expected Steve Kaufusi to be retained, and that expectation only increases with Sitake's hire. According to one person who apparently chatted with him after the game in Vegas, that may be happening.

@Mitch_Harper @bigbuck03 Spoke to Steve last night at Caesar's. Said he had already been asked to stay by Sitake.

— todd (@tsaltom) December 20, 2015

Another interesting thing to arise Sunday was a possible hint from Harvey Unga, who has little coaching experience but is still the school's all-time leading rusher. Does this point to a home-run hire he's excited about, or to himself being involved?

Really excited for this BYU team!!! Many great things to come!! Proud of their heart and relentless effort!!! #BYUFOOTBALL

— Harvey Unga (@unga45) December 21, 2015

He also told Jamaal Williams' mother "you know it'll (get) done too" after she tweeted it would be cool to have the all-time rushing leader coach the running back who breaks his record. So ... smoke or nah?

The final speculation tidbit is there are several folks on BYU twitter who claim #sources who are 100% certain Ty Detmer is joining the coaching staff. Detmer's last public statement came on SLC radio shortly after Bronco Mendenhall took the Virginia job when he said he likes his current life, which affords a lot more freedom than that of a college coach. Ain't nothin' more important to a Texan than freedom. So while I don't think it's out of the question, I'm still skeptical.

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