Brigham Young University announced a sweeping reorganization of its athletic department that splits football from the other 20 varsity sports. The move creates a distinct reporting line for the football program, positioning head coach Kalani Sitake to report directly to a university vice president.
A new hierarchy for Cougars athletics
Under the new structure, Sitake will answer to Vice President Keith Vorkink, who also supervises athletic director Brian Santiago. Santiago will now manage the remaining sports, allowing each leader to focus on their respective domains without the previous overlap that fueled tension between the two.
The restructuring reflects broader shifts in college athletics, where programs seek greater autonomy and targeted investment. Sitake has long advocated for increased funding to elevate football’s competitiveness and move beyond its current plateau in the playoff conversation.
To support the revised organization, BYU recently appointed Marc Hill as deputy athletic director, a role designed to help implement the new operational framework. Analysts suggest the model could evolve further, potentially pairing a sports‑focused AD with a business‑oriented counterpart or consolidating oversight under a single AD with redefined responsibilities.