The coaching carousel is spinning, and Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young has some strong opinions! In a recent appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show," Young didn't mince words when discussing the unsettling trend of coaches leaving mid-season. The core issue? It's "madness," plain and simple. He was responding to a question about how he'd feel if his head coach departed before the season's end, with the specific example of Lane Kiffin's move from Ole Miss to LSU, and rumors swirling around BYU's Kalani Sitake potentially heading to Penn State.
Young's take? "Something's really wrong that allowed for this kind of madness," he stated. He emphasized the need for a fix, even if he wasn't sure how to achieve it.
But here's where it gets controversial... The rumors surrounding Kalani Sitake's potential move to Penn State ignited over the weekend. Reports from On3's Brett McMurphy, Chris Low, and Pete Nakos, as well as confirmation from ESPN's Pete Thamel and NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach, all pointed to Penn State's interest, though a deal was not yet in place.
Young, however, was full of praise for Sitake's work at BYU, highlighting the special connection between the coach and the university. He described the departure as "super painful," emphasizing the "symbiotic kind of beautiful thing going on" between BYU and Sitake. He added, "the pain would be pretty extreme" if Sitake were to leave Provo.
Young also acknowledged the positive side, noting it's a testament to BYU's success and Sitake's ability that a program like Penn State would be interested. He stated that Penn State would have to fight hard to get Sitake, using the vivid image of "ripping him from our bloody hands."
And this is the part most people miss... Sitake himself addressed the rumors in a press conference, viewing them as a "great distraction" while staying focused on the upcoming Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech. A win in this game would secure BYU's spot in the College Football Playoff.
What do you think? Do you agree with Steve Young's assessment of coaches leaving mid-season? Is it a sign of a problem in college football, or just the nature of the business? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
