How LaVell Edwards' mentorship reshaped Kalani Sitake's life and coaching career

LaVell Edwards' personal interest in Kalani Sitake began with a freshman office visit where he asked about Sitake's family and suggested a missionary future, a notion that eventually led Sitake to serve two years in Oakland. The coach also intervened when a bike safety issue arose, reminding the young fan to wear a helmet, and later traveled to Sitake's St. Louis home to acknowledge recruiting mistakes, securing Sitake's commitment to BYU.

Sitake played fullback for the Cougars during Edwards' final victory and later broke ground as the first Tongan head coach in college football and the first BYU coach to have completed a mission. Edwards' legacy persists; Sitake still replays a voicemail from Edwards that lifted his spirits during a 1-3 start, helping the team finish 9-4 and win the Poinsettia Bowl. The story illustrates Edwards' broader habit of investing in players' lives beyond the gridiron, a pattern that shaped countless careers.