BYU Head Coach Had Perfect Reaction To Pop-Tarts Bowl Win

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BYU Head Coach Had Perfect Reaction To Pop-Tarts Bowl Win

It's been a rough few weeks for BYU, who lost the Big 12 Championship Game and were subsequently knocked out of the College Football Playoff. After that, they had to watch as other programs effectively raided both their roster and coaching staff before today's big Pop-Tarts Bowl game.

But all is well that ends well in Provo, Utah.

BYU defeated No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, narrowly winning 25-21 to take home the toaster-shaped trophy. But it was head coach Kalani Sitake (fresh off a lucrative extension with the team) who had the final epic moment of the team's 12-2 season.

As Sitake went to midfield to shake hands with the opposing head coach he received a "Gatorade bath" of mini Pop-Tarts. Rather than complain about being pelted by dozens of pastries, Sitake helped himself to a little snack and started eating them:

"I just had one of these little mini Pop-Tarts, I'm good to go," he said in his post-game interview.

BYU & Kalani Sitake in 2026

Sitake just delivered BYU their first 12-win season in a quarter-century. While the team's inability to reach the playoff was regrettable, he has the team set up rather nicely for sustained success through his coaching excellence.

In 10 seasons, Sitake is 84-45 and is 23-4 over the last two seasons.

BYU invested heavily into keeping Sitake in Provo for the long-term by giving him a major contract extension plus significant NIL investment so the team perhaps comes closer to knocking off Texas Tech in 2026 and beyond.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Kalani Sitake of the Brigham Young Cougars looks on as his team takes on the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

That said, Sitake will face some major hurdles in 2026. There's going to be plenty of roster turnover via the transfer portal and he's likely to lose some assistants to greener pastures.

But for now, they can all revel in a stellar end to the season.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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