Retaining Kalani Sitake was big win for BYU + Notes from basketball live period

BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake recalled his talks with Penn State to On3's Pete Nakos. In Sitake's commentary, he noted, "It all works out the way it's supposed to." How critical was it for BYU to retain Sitake?

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper explores that. Sitake turning down Penn State led to the Nittany Lions hiring former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell.

Campbell's old employer, ISU, made some headlines when AD Jamie Pollard said the SEC/Big Ten should break away. Would that be a good thing?

Athlon Sports has Bear Bachmeier on the cover of the 2026 preview on the West Coast. They rolled out their preview, and Mitch shared some initial thoughts.

Then, finally, some news and notes from the basketball recruiting trail, as BYU basketball was well-represented at various Live Period events on the circuit over the weekend.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

Cougar Tracks gives you a daily insider look into BYU Cougars football and basketball.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper hosts the show. Harper has been covering BYU athletics for more than a decade. He brings you everything from the latest happenings in the BYU football and men's basketball programs, to the latest insight on the recruiting trail. 

Cougar Tracks is your go-to podcast for the best daily BYU conversation.