Chris Klieman to Retire After Seven Seasons at Kansas State; Collin Klein a Top Candidate to Succeed Him
After seven seasons at the helm, Chris Klieman is stepping down as Kansas State’s head football coach. The program has confirmed a team meeting is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, and a press conference with Klieman and athletic director Gene Taylor will follow later in the day.
It’s a major moment for a program that’s seen both stability and success under Klieman’s leadership. In his time in Manhattan, Klieman posted a 54-34 record, led the Wildcats to six bowl appearances, and captured a Big 12 title in 2022. Before his time at Kansas State, he built a dynasty at North Dakota State, winning four FCS national championships in five years with a staggering 69-6 record.
But this season was different. The Wildcats entered the year ranked No. 17 in the AP preseason poll, riding high after back-to-back nine-win seasons.
Expectations were legitimate. Instead, the team stumbled out of the gate, starting 1-3 with a narrow win over North Dakota and tough losses to Iowa State, Army, and Arizona.
The struggles continued deep into the year, culminating in a gut-wrenching 51-47 loss at Utah, despite rushing for 472 yards.
That night in Salt Lake City was a turning point-not in the standings, but in spirit. Klieman, visibly emotional in the postgame press conference, didn’t hold back.
“I’ve heard that I’ve cashed it in, I’ve heard the players have cashed it in, we need to get new leadership here, we need to get new players, new coaches,” he said. “I’m tired of it. I gotta be honest with you, I’m tired of it.
“I’ve given my friggin’ ass life to this place for seven years. I’ve given everything for seven years, and I think I deserve a little bit of respect. I’m frustrated like everybody else is, but I love those kids, and I’ll go friggin’ battle with those kids any day.”
That passion, that fight-that’s what defined Klieman’s tenure. Even in a down year that ended with a 6-6 record, the Wildcats never quit. They closed the regular season with a 24-14 win over Colorado to secure a bowl bid, and Klieman is expected to coach the team in that game.
As for what’s next, all eyes are on Collin Klein. The former Kansas State quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist has been identified as a top candidate to replace Klieman.
Klein was the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 before joining Mike Elko’s staff at Texas A&M. He’s currently expected to stay with A&M through the College Football Playoff, but the possibility of a return to his alma mater looms large.
Klein is more than just a familiar face-he’s a symbol of Kansas State football. His ties to the program run deep, and his offensive mind helped power some of the Wildcats’ best recent seasons. If he does take over, it would mark a new chapter rooted in continuity and tradition.
Klieman, meanwhile, leaves behind a legacy that deserves real respect. He followed a legend in Bill Snyder and carved out his own space in the program’s history.
He ranks second in career coaching wins at Kansas State, behind only Snyder himself. And while Snyder retired at 79, Klieman, at 58, is stepping away nearly two decades earlier-perhaps a sign of how draining this past season truly was.
“We stuffed it down their throat the entire game running the football, and we lost,” Klieman said after the Utah game. “I’m crushed because of that. But I’m going to stand up here with friggin’ pride and say we battled our ass off against a really good team.”
That quote sums up the Klieman era-tough, proud, and always ready to fight. His teams reflected that. Now, as Kansas State prepares to turn the page, the program does so with gratitude for a coach who gave everything he had.