BYU Cougars Kalani Sitake a favorite coach on the verge of the CFP - ESPN

Editor's note: This story was originally published on Aug. 16.

PROVO, Utah — When Kalani Sitake sees another coach, he simply can't stop himself.

Sitake, the BYU coach entering his 11th season at his alma mater, will beeline for his colleagues, usually with outstretched arms. He welcomes any opportunity to interact with other coaches, regardless of the stakes. He doesn't engage just to be polite (he famously is), or to gain some competitive insight or edge for an impending game.

He just likes hanging out with other coaches and they like him.

Sitake, who turns 51 in October, often wants to learn about their lives and backgrounds, teams and philosophies. Sitake has won more games in the past two seasons (23) than all but four other FBS coaches. But at heart, he's still a football enthusiast, living in what he describes as a «dream state.»

«Before I was the head coach of BYU, before I was a player for LaVell Edwards, I was always a fan, so the fan is the one that wins out,» Sitake told ESPN this spring. «Maybe my style can be a little uncomfortable, but I don't know how uncomfortable it can be when I'm just trying to be your friend.»

Sitake has become a friend to many around the coaching ranks. There's a good chance he's your favorite coach's favorite coach, especially if you root for another Big 12 team. Even as BYU has become a league title contender, knocking on the door of its first College Football Playoff appearance, Sitake's popularity among his primary competitors continues to grow.

«The beauty of Kalani is that he's just authentic and he's just always himself,» Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. «He doesn't worry about whether that comes off good or not. But he's a really good dude. He treats everybody with respect