BYU coach breaks his silence after star QB was accused of rape and strangulation in stunning lawsuit

BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake has broken his silence after his star quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, was accused of rape and strangulation in a stunning lawsuit.

Sitake broke his silence on Tuesday, as the Cougars' spot at the Big 12 Conference's media days took place. 

Retzlaff had reportedly been set to transfer from the Provo, Utah school amid the controversy, with his head coach finally speaking publicly on the matter. 

'We love Jake Retzlaff. It would be inappropriate for me to make a statement on his behalf. I'm going to give him the opportunity to do that,' Sitake said from the stage at AT&T Stadium. 

On Tuesday, Retzlaff was still listed on the Cougars' active roster.  The sexual assault case against the BYU star has reportedly been dismissed - but the quarterback is still expected to leave the school.

Retzlaff denied the allegations that he 'bit, raped or strangled' a woman in November 2023. The woman, named only Jane Doe A.G., was seeking damages of more than $300,000. 

Last month, however, the two sides filed a joint motion for dismissal, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The order was reportedly signed by a judge but precise details remain unclear.

The settlement paves the way for the quarterback to transfer out of BYU after he admitted violating the school's ban on premarital sex.

The 22-year-old is BYU's first ever Jewish quarterback but, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, he is set to decide on a new school in the coming days.

BYU is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and both students and employees are expected follow a strict Honor Code.