A winning culture, Big 12 benefits lifting BYU to new heights

BYU coach Kalani Sitake celebrates a punt return for a touchdown by Parker Kingston during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

BYU isn’t playing with a hand tied behind its back anymore.

Big 12 membership, P4 money, resources to establish and take care of assistants and staff and wins — all of it makes a difference in BYU’s attempt to be relevant in major college sports.

You’ve already seen it in basketball with the hire of NBA coach Kevin Young, an expanded hoops staff, the signing of Russian phenom Egor Demin, Purdue-flip Kanon Catchings, Utah transfer Keba Keita, and USC-flip Brody Kozlowski. Oh, and don’t forget the first-ever signing of a five-star and projected No. 1 NBA draft pick in AJ Dybantsa from the class of 2025.

It’s now apparent that in the past few weeks, this has carried over to football after Utah defensive tackle star Keanu Tanuvasa signed with BYU out of the transfer portal, filling a key role for defensive coordinator Jay Hiill with the departure of Bruce Mitchell, John Nelson and Tyler Batty from the Cougars’ D-line.

Tanuvasa told BYUtv “Sports Nation” that he loves Kalani Sitake’s approach and his mantra.

“What’s huge about the culture at BYU is that they love and learn,” said Tanuvasa. “That means they love the process and love their opponents. That’s huge. People don’t understand in order to reach your full potential, you have to love the process and not just the end result.

“That’s one thing I learned in talking to the coaches and some of the players, that they really do love the process and they are willing to learn from every moment regardless of the wins or loss, the good or bad days, the tough moments, the problems and mistakes,” he continued. “That’s what I want to do in my life is love…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/winning-culture-big-12-benefits-040000586.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2025-01-03 04:00:00

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