Chris Klieman says the path that brought Collin Klein back to Manhattan was built on years of trust, a timely phone call and, in Klieman’s view, the right fit at the right moment.
Speaking on the final summer episode of Fighting Ever Fighting with GoPowercat’s Tim Fitzgerald, the former Kansas State head coach walked through how the reunion came together last December and why he believed Klein was ready for the job.
Klieman said his connection with Klein dates back to 2019, when he first arrived and interviewed everyone on staff. He kept Klein around, and the two continued building that relationship through 2020 and 2021. When Klieman later went looking for an offensive coordinator, he said the conversations they had while driving around that winter made it clear this was about more than just a short-term arrangement.
He also said he already understood that success would eventually create outside opportunities for Klein.
“I knew when we had success in those seasons that he was going to have opportunities.”
Klieman said he and Klein had talked often about those chances, and that he agreed with the idea that Klein may have needed to leave in order to come back. In Klieman’s telling, that experience away from Manhattan mattered.
Then, when Klieman decided he was done, he reached out before the process got messy. He said he wanted to know whether Klein had interest before the situation turned into a difficult decision for everyone involved. Klieman said he knew Klein was going to land a strong Group of Five job, and he also knew Klein was speaking with other schools.
“I was smart enough to know. I talk to my representation.
I see things all over different representatives and stuff. Collin was going to get a job.
He was going to get a really good G5 job, and so I didn't want him to take something and then a week later, I decide, two weeks later, I decide that I'm going to be done. Then he's got a really difficult decision to make, and so I reached out and asked if he had an interest, and he said he definitely did.”
Klieman added that he believed Klein was the right choice not just because of his coaching background, but because of what he meant to Kansas State.
“I trust Collin. I love Collin, know him well enough that it would galvanize the fan base and maybe get us a few more million dollars.”
He said the idea of hiring Klein also came with the possibility of helping the program financially, as more people might be willing to support the team because of Klein’s ties to the school.
Klieman also addressed what his own role would look like now that Klein is in charge. He said he is not going to interfere with the coaching side, but he will be available as a resource when needed.
He described that role as a sounding board rather than a daily presence, saying Klein can reach out if he wants to bounce something off him, and Klieman may do the same if he notices something. Beyond that, he said he wants to help administratively and stay connected to families he recruited during his time at Kansas State.
“I'll definitely help him.”
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Garrett Oakley has spent enough time around Kansas States program to no longer be treated like just another veteran tight end. After a productive season last fall, the senior has become one of the more intriguing pieces in Collin Kleins first year as head coach, with Klein praising Oakleys athleticism and upside as the Wildcats work through training camp and sort out how their offense will look this season.
Kansas State also has highly recruited tight end Linkon Cure on the roster, which only adds another layer to the position groups outlook. For a team trying to settle into a new era under Klein, Oakleys emergence gives the Wildcats a real problem to solve, one that could shape how often they lean on multiple-tight-end looks and how they distribute targets once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
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Oliphants background makes him worth watching beyond the usual transfer buzz. He came out of high school as a highly regarded defensive back, and football runs in the family, which often shows up in how quickly a player adjusts to a new system. For Kansas State, the appeal is straightforward: a versatile defender who can help the unit in multiple phases, even as the larger question is how much of a role he can win once the season starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]