If I am a recruit why would I choose BYU when they have struggled so much under Sitake? Even if I really liked Sitake as a guy, he is one bad year away from getting fired (the BOT may never do it now with the extension, but from a recruit's perspective I can see that).
He had a real chance this year but lost to Toledo, South Florida and San Diego St. Win those 3 games and recruiting would have gotten a boost.