BYU Football Promotes Aaron Roderick To Offensive Coordinator, Fesi Sitake To PGC

PROVO, Utah – BYU football wasted no on hiring their offensive coordinator to replace Jeff Grimes as offensive coordinator. Late Monday night, less than 12 hours after Grimes was formally announced as Baylor’s new play caller, BYU announced that Aaron Roderick is promoted to offensive coordinator.

#BYU announces that Aaron Roderick has been named offensive coordinator and Fesi Sitake is Passing Game Coordinator.#BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) January 5, 2021

Roderick isn’t the only one on the Cougars staff landing a promotion; BYU also announced that wide receiver coach Fesi Sitake is now passing game coordinator for the Cougars.

“Aaron is the right person to take over as our offensive coordinator with the departure of Jeff (Grimes),” said BYU football coach Kalani Sitake. “Jeff did a tremendous job as offensive coordinator and Aaron is the perfect choice to help us build on the success Jeff, Aaron, Fesi and our offensive staff have achieved together. I know firsthand the exceptional coach Aaron is from working on the same staff for 15 years during our careers. He is an experienced play-caller and coordinator and a great mentor and teacher. I’m thrilled to have Aaron as our new offensive coordinator.”

Roderick was instrumental in developing former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson who is expected to be a Top 10 pick in next April’s NFL draft. The former BYU wide receiver joined Kalani Sitake’s staff in 2018 as passing game coordinator. Both men have worked together at Utah and Southern Utah.

BREAKING: @BYUfootball announces that Aaron Roderick will be the Cougars new offensive coordinator and Fesi Sitake is Passing GameCoordinator.#BYU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/bO802PTlwl

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 5, 2021

Fesi Sitake has coached up the wide receiver room that was headlined by Dax Milne this past season. Milne put up the fifth-best individual season by a BYU football receiver in receiving yards in a given year. He was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award and a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy.

“Fesi came to BYU three years ago as one of the game’s up-and-coming young coordinators and he’s played a big role in our success,” said Kalani Sitake. “He has improved his team wherever he has been and that is certainly the case here at BYU. We are better because of Fesi’s contributions in our staff room, on the practice field, and on the sidelines. I’m excited to have him working closely with Aaron and the other coaches in this new role.”

BYU put together the No. 3 scoring offense in all of college football for the 2020 season. The Cougars won 11 games for the first time since the 2009 season. BYU’s offensive staff this past season was considered a “collaborative effort” by staff members. Now Roderick takes on the reigns as BYU’s OC.

Congrats @CoachRoderick!!

Aaron Roderick ➡️ Offensive Coordinator pic.twitter.com/QQrh9uwE3D

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) January 5, 2021

“I am incredibly honored to be the offensive coordinator at BYU because I understand this program’s legacy and truly appreciate the great coaches that have been in this position in the past to build that legacy,” Aaron Roderick said. “I’m grateful to Kalani for this opportunity. He and I have worked together for 15 years at three different schools, and he is the kind of coach I want to work for and someone in whom I have so much trust and respect.

“I also really appreciate Coach Grimes for not only wanting me to be a part of his staff when I came back to BYU but also putting a lot of trust in me with the passing game. He is a great coach and a great man who I really respect and enjoyed working with the past three years. I can’t wait to work with the players and take on this challenge with Fesi and our talented coaching staff.”

During BYU’s bowl victory over UCF last month, Jeff Grimes was out due to an undisclosed reason. Roderick called plays from the booth and Fesi Sitake assumed Grimes’ role down at field level with the play call sheet.

Congrats @fsitake!!

Fesi Sitake ➡️ Passing Game Coordinator pic.twitter.com/MCLUz74HbL

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) January 5, 2021

The younger Sitake, a cousin to Kalani Sitake, has previous offensive coordinator experience from his time at Weber State.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue my experience here at BYU as the passing game coordinator,” Fesi Sitake said. “I’m grateful for Kalani and his willingness to provide this opportunity for me. Working with Aaron Roderick has been an incredible learning experience, and I appreciate his continued trust in me. I look forward to continuing my journey here at BYU with the rest of this incredible staff and these amazing players. Go Cougs!”

BYU Football Coaching Staff for 2021

As of January 4th, 2021

Head Coach: Kalani Sitake

Associate Head Coach/LBs/Special Teams Coordinator: Ed Lamb

Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Roderick

Defensive Coordinator/DL: Ilaisa Tuiaki

Passing Game Coordinator: Fesi Sitake

Tight Ends: Steve Clark

Running Backs: Harvey Unga

Offensive Line: Eric Mateos

Cornerbacks: Jernaro Gilford

Safeties: Preston Hadley

One position coach: TBD

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.