The BYU football program stands at a crossroads as off-field drama threatens to overshadow a pivotal season. Promises made—and possibly broken—between head coach Kalani Sitake and athletic director Brian Santiago are fueling a high-stakes power struggle. Jake Hatch uncovers exclusive reporting from Dick Harmon and Gordon Monson revealing contract delays, leadership disputes, and the behind-the-scenes Jay Hill interview saga when Sitake briefly considered the Penn State job. With BYU football driving $125 million of the athletic department’s $155 million revenue yet receiving less than 50% of that in return, tension over NIL budgets and program resources has never been higher. Is Sitake justified in demanding more to propel BYU toward Big 12 championships and a College Football Playoff bid, or are the administrative divides too deep to bridge?
The episode unpacks the unprecedented move to separate BYU football from other varsity sports, placing Keith Vorkink in a leadership role distinct from Brian Santiago. Jake Hatch explores how this split impacts Sitake’s leverage, the reported promise of potential AD changes, and whether the new structure addresses long-standing issues of transparency and accountability over funds and support. Listeners get a breakdown of how miscommunication over men’s basketball NIL budgets and overall athletic spending triggered frustration, with basketball’s perceived $20+ million NIL budget compared to football’s sub-$10 million NIL pool fanning the flames.
Amidst the turmoil, attention pivots to the gridiron, where BYU’s roster—led by upperclassmen Isaiah Glasker and Cade Uluave along with rising stars like Bear Bachmeier and Legend Glasker—is poised for one of the most anticipated seasons in school history. Can Sitake galvanize his squad and keep their focus as distractions swirl and expectations soar? The conversation weighs whether internal culture and a “players-first” approach can insulate the team from outside noise, referencing Sitake’s track record of 10-win seasons and his commitment to putting players’ interests at the forefront.
On the basketball front, Kevin Young’s hiring of former Raptors assistant Patrick Mutombo as defensive coordinator promises a strategic shift. Drawing on his NBA and G League coaching pedigree, Mutombo’s defense philosophy aims to address BYU’s historic struggles with perimeter defense—a potential game-changer given the apparent absence of an elite paint protector in the current frontcourt.
Can BYU Athletics weather its leadership storm and deliver championship-caliber performances on the field and court? Jake Hatch delivers insider analysis on the Cougars’ present turmoil, looming decisions, and the on-field challenges that await as Utah Tech, Notre Dame, and Big 12 contenders loom on the horizon.
Support Locked On Cougars:
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms and on YouTube!
Join the NEW Locked On Cougars Everydayer Club by clicking here!
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.
Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
5-Hour ENERGY: Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon
Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/COLLEGE ! #squarepod
ULTRA POUCHES: Don’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad
KALSHI: For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10
Indeed: Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast
Gametime: Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase
FanDuel: College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow the Locked On Cougars podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest with regards to the podcast and BYU sports news. Please remember to subscribe, enable notifications, rate and review the show.
If you are interested in advertising with Locked On Cougars or the Locked On Podcast Network, please email us at LockedOnBYU@gmail.com.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
