Chris Klieman’s journey through college football is one of quiet dominance, steady leadership, and a legacy that now stretches from the FCS heartland of North Dakota to the Power Four battlegrounds of the Big 12. And after nearly a decade of success in Manhattan, Kansas, the veteran coach has officially stepped away from the game, leaving behind a blueprint that Kansas State-and new head coach Collin Klein-will look to build on.
Before Klieman became a fixture on the Kansas State sideline, he was already a proven winner at North Dakota State. From 2014 to 2018, he led the Bison to four FCS national championships, continuing a dynasty that helped define the program as one of the most dominant forces in college football’s lower division. That run didn't just pad a résumé-it propelled him into the Power Four conversation, eventually landing him the Kansas State job.
And while his FCS roots may feel like a distant memory now, they’re still relevant-especially with North Dakota State making the jump to the FBS as a new member of the Mountain West Conference. It’s a full-circle moment of sorts, as the program Klieman helped elevate now takes on a new chapter of its own.
At Kansas State, Klieman brought the same culture of consistency and competitiveness. Outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he never posted a losing record. Over seven years, he led the Wildcats to five bowl appearances, keeping the program nationally relevant and competitive in a shifting college football landscape.
But 2025 brought new challenges. A disappointing season, capped by a tough loss to Utah, took its toll.
Klieman, usually composed, showed rare visible frustration in the aftermath-clearly affected by the mounting criticism and the emotional weight of the moment. It was a sign that the grind had caught up with him.
In December, Klieman made it official-retiring and handing the reins to a familiar face: Collin Klein. A former Kansas State quarterback and longtime assistant under Klieman, Klein now becomes the 36th head coach in program history.
Klieman’s farewell press conference was heartfelt and reflective. He made a point to thank Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor, the man who brought him in from Fargo and gave him a shot despite limited Power Four experience.
“I’ve gotta express my gratitude and thanks to Gene Taylor for believing in and trusting this program in me,” Klieman said. “It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 7 years since Kenny, Preston, and Starkey came up and picked me up.
We flew down here and started a journey, and it’s been almost 7 years. I took this job with little to no Power Four experience, but I had a guy who believed in me and loved me.
I’m proud of what we accomplished in these seven years.”
And what they accomplished was no small feat. Klieman didn’t just win games-he built a culture.
He helped Kansas State remain competitive in an era where conference realignment and NIL deals have added layers of complexity to the job. Through it all, he stayed true to the values that made him successful in Fargo: discipline, development, and belief in his people.
That belief extended to Klein, who now takes over after five seasons working alongside Klieman as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. In his introductory press conference, Klein made it clear just how much Klieman meant to him-not just as a coach, but as a mentor and friend.
“I’m not standing here today if not for coach Klieman,” Klein said. “The leadership and growth he gave to me, promoting me when the opportunity was right to serve as the offensive coordinator, and then serving as a mentor ever since.
Someone I’ve called many times over the last two years, and that relationship is special, treasured, and I’m just so grateful for him and his stewardship of a program that means the world to me. And the K-State values and traditions that he fostered so well.”
Now, the baton passes to Klein, but the foundation remains Klieman’s. His fingerprints are all over the program-from the way it recruits, to how it develops players, to the culture in the locker room. And while Klieman may be stepping away from the sidelines, his impact at Kansas State-and on college football as a whole-won’t be fading anytime soon.