The Coach Who Saw Beyond the Game | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 23, 2026 · 1m

Kalani Sitake’s journey from surprised freshman to BYU’s first Tongan head coach and first mission-serving coach was shaped by the legendary LaVell Edwards, who saw his potential long before he saw his talent. After a big win against Notre Dame, Edwards didn’t just talk football—he suggested Sitake might be a great missionary. That same vision guided Edwards’ personal visits, safety concerns, and unwavering belief in Sitake’s character. Years later, when Sitake took over as head coach, Edwards’ legacy lived on through a voicemail that turned a rocky start into a bowl victory. Edwards didn’t…