Chris Klieman Steps Down After Seven Strong Seasons at Kansas State - Collin Klein Poised to Take the Reins
After seven years at the helm in Manhattan, Chris Klieman has coached his final game for Kansas State. According to sources familiar with the situation, Klieman has decided to retire, closing the book on a successful tenure that brought stability, grit, and championship pedigree to the Wildcats program.
Klieman’s time in purple was anything but ordinary. Taking over in 2019, he compiled a 54-33 record, led the Wildcats to six bowl appearances, and brought home a Big 12 title in 2022 - a season that reminded fans of just how dangerous K-State can be when everything clicks.
His teams were tough, disciplined, and never out of a fight - a reflection of the coach himself. And now, with his departure, the program is preparing to turn the page.
But this isn’t a rebuild. It’s a transition - and a natural one at that.
Sources indicate that the Wildcats are zeroing in on Collin Klein as their next head coach. Klein, currently the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, is no stranger to the Kansas State faithful. In fact, he’s one of their own - a former quarterback who not only led the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship in 2012 but also finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist that same year.
Klein’s connection to the program runs deep. After his playing days, he returned to the sidelines as an assistant under legendary coach Bill Snyder and later under Klieman, eventually rising to offensive coordinator in 2023. His fingerprints are all over the modern K-State offense, and his leadership style has long resonated with players and fans alike.
While he’s never been a head coach, the sentiment around the program is clear: this could be the right time and the right fit. Klein understands the culture, the expectations, and the blueprint for success in Manhattan. His return would mark a homecoming - not just for a former player, but for a program icon ready to lead the next era.
As Kansas State prepares for this new chapter, the foundation Klieman built remains strong. And with Klein potentially stepping into the top job, the Wildcats may be looking at a future that feels both familiar and full of promise.