Oregon State hires Utah DC and assistant head coach to same position
New Oregon State coach Gary Andersen poached a former co-worker from a new conference rival to fill his defensive coordinator position.
OSU announced Tuesday that Kalani Sitake, Utah's defensive coordinator, would be the Beavers' assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
Sitake and Andersen worked together when Andersen was an assistant coach at Utah. With Andersen, Sitake was the linebackers coach for the Utes and when Andersen left to be the coach at Utah State, Sitake was elevated into Andersen's old position of defensive coordinator.
He's been the Utes DC for six seasons and has held the title of assistant head coach for the past three.
This season, Utah's defense was No. 60 in total yards allowed per game and gave up 5.34 yards per play. In the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Utah held a potent Colorado State offense to just 278 total yards and 10 points.
In addition to announcing the hire of Sitake, the first Tongan defensive coordinator at the FBS level, Oregon State also announced the hires of four other assistant coaches including Chad Kauha’aha’a, who was Wisconsin's defensive line coach for the past two seasons under Andersen.
“One of my top priorities has been to put together a staff that helps student-athletes succeed academically, socially and athletically,” Andersen said in a school release. “These coaches all put the student-athlete first and are all proven professionals in their respective areas, excelling at the highest level. They have demonstrated the ability to recruit nationally and that experience ensures that we will be able to bring in student-athletes that fit Oregon State University, our community and our program.”
For more Oregon State news, visit BeaverBlitz.com.
- - - - - - -
Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
