As Oklahoma State searches for its next head coach, much of the conversation has centered on familiar names such as flashy offensive minds, NFL assistants, and high-profile coordinators. But there are two coaches who continue to fly under the radar every time a major job opens: Matt Campbell of Iowa State and Kalani Sitake of BYU.
They might not grab national headlines, but both men embody everything a program like Oklahoma State should be looking for in stability, development, culture, and consistency.
Kalani Sitake: A Culture Builder Who Just Wins
When people talk about the top coaches in college football, Kalani Sitake rarely comes up. That’s a mistake.
At 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Big 12 play, Sitake’s Cougars have achieved back-to-back 8-0 starts for the first time in BYU history. Now in his 10th season in Provo, Sitake has quietly built one of the most consistently successful programs in the country, boasting an 80-43 career record and a 5-2 mark in bowl games, with just two losing seasons to his name.
And he’s done it without the luxury of five-star recruits, massive NIL collectives, or SEC-level resources. Sitake has turned BYU into a model of efficiency and player development. Rather than overhauling his roster through the transfer portal, he uses it strategically to fill holes, add depth, and maintain balance.
His teams are tough, disciplined, and resilient which are all the kind of traits that define Oklahoma State football at its best. Sitake is the kind of coach who doesn’t make excuses, doesn’t chase headlines, and doesn’t need gimmicks to win. He just builds programs the right way.
If Oklahoma State truly values culture and sustainability over flash and hype, Kalani Sitake should be one of the first calls they make.
Matt Campbell: Consistency and Development at Its Finest
In many ways, Matt Campbell and Kalani Sitake are cut from the same cloth. At Iowa State, Campbell has taken a program that was historically an afterthought and turned it into a respected, competitive force in the Big 12.
Since arriving in Ames in 2016, Campbell has compiled a 69-54 record at Iowa State and a 104-69 overall mark including his time at Toledo. He’s taken his teams to 10 total bowl games, winning half of them which is a remarkable achievement for programs without blue-chip resources.
Campbell’s teams are known for their discipline, physicality, and steady improvement. He’s a master developer, finding under-recruited players, molding them into contributors, and fostering a family-oriented culture that resonates deeply with his players.
In a landscape where many coaches chase quick fixes through NIL and the portal, Campbell has done the opposite — building from within, emphasizing loyalty and player growth.
The Perfect Fit for Oklahoma State’s Next Chapter
Oklahoma State has been a model of stability for over two decades under Mike Gundy. The next hire will define the post-Gundy era, and both Campbell and Sitake represent the kind of program builders who could continue that legacy while putting their own stamp on the Cowboys’ future. Oklahoma State should offer them a lucrative contract, lock them in, and supply them with any necessary resources they desire if they are all-in on winning and getting the program back into the national spotlight.
Neither name will dominate talk shows or betting boards, but that’s exactly why they deserve attention. Both are proven winners, strong leaders, and culture-driven builders: exactly what a proud, consistent program like Oklahoma State needs.
This seems like more of a pipeline dream for any Oklahoma State fan and for the college as a whole but what has this season shown us? Expect the unexpected. More mayhem is incoming in some way or fashion and OSU should just join the party instead of runnign away from it. If OSU wants to remain a perennial contender rather than roll the dice on an untested upstart, these two are the type of hires that bring long-term stability and sustained success.
Keep the Secrets Safe
Of course, this logic doesn’t just apply to Oklahoma State. Any major program with a coaching vacancy should be knocking on these doors and BYU and Iowa State should be doing everything in their power to re-up their contracts and ensure they don’t go anywhere.
Kalani Sitake and Matt Campbell might not be the loudest names in the room, but make no mistake about it they are two of the best-kept secrets in college football. And if Oklahoma State wants a coach who can win now and build for the future, these two deserve to be at the top of the call sheet.