BYU Coach Kalani Sitake’s “Country Roads” Gaffe Ahead of West Virginia Game

In a pre-game press conference three years before the October 3, 2025 article, BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake praised West Virginia University’s fan culture and said he looked forward to hearing the Mountaineers sing “Country Roads.” Unaware that WVU reserves the John Denver classic for post-victory celebrations, Sitake’s comment was later described as a “huge blunder.” The Cougars were subsequently defeated 37-7, reinforcing the perception that the remark had “spoken a loss into existence.”

Sports Illustrated

West Virginia’s football program has long played “Take Me Home, Country Roads” only after a win, a ritual that energizes the crowd and signals a successful outing. The tradition is a point of pride for the Mountaineers’ passionate fanbase, making Sitake’s expectation of hearing the song during the game a clear misunderstanding of the school’s culture.

Sports Illustrated

When asked about the incident at Big 12 Media Day, Sitake acknowledged his error, noting that he “didn’t know WVU only plays the song after a win” and expressed continued respect for the program’s traditions. His later comments emphasized admiration for the Mountaineers’ fan enthusiasm despite the earlier slip.

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Sports journalists highlighted the gaffe as an example of how coaches can misinterpret rival traditions, with some suggesting the remark added unnecessary pressure on the BYU squad. Others pointed out that the incident underscored the importance of cultural awareness in college football’s highly scrutinized media environment.

Sports Illustrated

• “Looking forward to the cool traditions they have.” — Kalani Sitake, BYU head football coach

Sports Illustrated

• “I like fans that care about their teams and have a lot of passion for it.” — Kalani Sitake, BYU head football coach

Sports Illustrated

• “It's going to be nice to hear them sing Country Roads.” — Kalani Sitake, BYU head football coach

Sports Illustrated