What Kalani Sitake said on “The Jim Rome Show” – Deseret News

Given BYU’s surprising 6-0 start, many people across the country are talking about the Cougars.

Among those taking part in the conversation is longtime radio host Jim Rome, who was joined by Kalani Sitake for an interview on his self-titled talk show on Tuesday.

Here are some highlights from Sitake’s appearance on “The Jim Rome Show.”

On BYU’s hot start to 2024

“I’m just happy with the players and the leadership of our team. We have great young men here and I was very fortunate to be their coach. I love seeing them teach and learn from each other. The entire process from last year to now has been a great learning experience for our players and the leadership has strengthened. The boys are doing a great job, we’re having a lot of fun and playing good football too.”

About improving from last year’s first Big 12 record of 2-7

“We knew at the start of the season that it was going to be tough last year, but we also needed some deficits. We didn’t know exactly where we should improve. While we were going through this experience, I don’t think we were physically overwhelmed by people, we just made mistakes and didn’t do much good. We didn’t play free football. We didn’t play fundamentally solid. This can happen when you play against strong teams.

“…So that was a learning experience for all of our guys and it just gave them a sense of urgency. Now you know what to compare it to.

“I compare it to becoming a father for the first time. You think you know everything about parenting until you actually become one. Anyone can warn you, you have your opinion, but when you actually go through it, it’s like, “Oh yeah, this is completely different than I thought.” Now that these guys know what to compare it to, it is Easier in my opinion to go through the offseason, the conditioning, the importance of learning the playbook and taking every penalty.”

On staying humble and hungry throughout the success

“We talk about love and learning, and that is the culture we try to instill here at BYU. That’s what LaVell (Edwards) did for me when I played for him. He was such a legend, he did it right. So we’re trying to implement the same ideas in 2024, you know, decades later.

“But the concept is that you are unique in learning, and to learn you have to be humble. Often you lose sight of (improvement) because of all the excitement, energy and praise and get caught up in it. We must humble ourselves and know that there is still room for improvement.

“I think it’s important to celebrate the wins, but then suddenly it comes back to business and we have to get back to work. That has always been our mantra, regardless of the outcome of the game. We cannot benefit too much from ourselves and we cannot be too degraded from ourselves, otherwise we cannot learn. We are committed to learning and getting better. I want to see these guys improve. I think week to week I’ve seen them improve every week.”

After losing to the Cowboys in the 2023 season finale, they face a struggling Oklahoma State team

“(The 2023 loss) stuck with me just because that was the last game we played last year… We couldn’t get to that bowl game (eligibility) in that game, and it’s not Oklahoma’s fault State, but ours.” Error. We made mistakes in this game.

“They’re a really good team and played for the conference championship last year, so they have our attention, but I don’t think you go into a game like this with a revenge factor. We have a lot of respect for Mike Gundy and his coaching staff and this team. They have talent everywhere and their backs are against the wall. We know we will do our best. I want our team to also take the best shot. I mean, we know we can do it. You just had a bye week. We know what it’s like to spend an extra week preparing. So we expect their best.”