SALT LAKE CITY — Reacting to the perception his demeanor is too nice for a head coach of a major college football program, Kalani Sitake has a warning for the doubters.

“Just piss me off and see what happens,” said Sitake, beginning his third season at BYU.

No, thank you.

Affable and friendly, Sitake has an easy-going personality that goes against the grain in his sport. The image of a football coach often includes being a man’s man, the stern kind, incapable of smiling on the field. He is tough and demanding, with winning as the only acceptable goal.

Sitake falls in line with the traditional coach, but only up to a degree. There are two of him professionally, divided between his job and his love of people.

The happy-go-lucky image only goes so far, especially in Sitake’s current situation. Few fans had much of a problem with Sitake during his first season, when the Cougars finished 9-4 and won a bowl game, but the critics roared with extreme displeasure after the record was reversed last year.

Over the course of three months, the coach transformed from being everybody’s buddy to a bum. You know the saying: nice guys finish last.

“I’m easy going, but stuff pisses me off, too,” Sitake said. “If something doesn’t go well. I’m going to get mad. I’m a normal guy.”

Above all, he has to remain true to himself, which is the advice his mentors gave. Sitake’s coaching influences are LaVell Edwards, whom he played for at BYU, along with Kyle Whittingham and Gary Andersen – he served as defensive coordinators for both head coaches at Utah and Oregon State, respectively.

He is part of all three, combining toughness and compassion.

“All I can do is be myself,” he said. “I’m just a normal human being. You prick me, I bleed, too.”

In effect, Sitake won’t go beyond himself to prove to the public he can come down on the players. His work is done in private, anyway.

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BYU quarterback competition down to two as Mangum, Wilson set to take most snaps

BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes confirmed that the Cougar quarterback race is down to two, with senior Tanner Mangum and true freshman Zach Wilson contending for the starting role with just over two weeks left until the season opener Sept. 1.

Any doubt that he can make the tough decision was erased last December. Immediately after last season’s debacle, Sitake fired offensive coordinator Ty Detmer — easily among the top three most popular players in the history of BYU football. Several other coaches, some of whom were Sitake’s teammates, also were let go.

Taking no enjoyment in the dismissals, Sitake did what had to be done. The more seasoned staff, combined with his own experience, has given him an increased level of confidence going into this season.

“I feel a lot more comfortable now going into my third year,” said Sitake, echoing a familiar refrain for most new head coaches.

Former BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall put it best after several years as a head coach, admitting he had no clue what he was doing early on.

“You couldn’t really prepare for it unless you go through it,” Sitake said. “It’s like reading all the books and having all the fathers tell you about being a father, you just never know until you become one.”

Whether all of this translates into more wins this season remains to be seen. Many questions remain as the team heads into the third week of training camp.

Some two weeks before the season-opener at Arizona, the Cougars still have not named a starting quarterback. BYU has a real possibility of starting a freshman quarterback, a move that could ensure growing pains.

No matter what, though, not many are predicting much success for BYU this season.

“You go through some struggles together and it really unites you,” Sitake said. “We kind of relish the role of being an underdog and people doubting you.”

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