Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman is poised to announce his retirement today, as reported by Ned Seaton of The Manhattan Mercury. Collin Klein, the current offensive coordinator at Texas A&M and a former quarterback for Kansas State, is lined up to succeed Klieman as the head coach.
Klein is expected to remain at Texas A&M to continue managing the team’s offense and calling plays during their run in the College Football Playoff, which adds to the excitement surrounding both coaching changes.
Chris Klieman, aged 58, took the helm at Kansas State in 2019 following a highly successful stint at North Dakota State, where he led the Bison to four NCAA Division I titles in just five years. Throughout his time at Kansas State, Klieman amassed a record of 54 wins against 34 losses, culminating in a Big 12 championship win in 2022. In total, his head coaching record stands impressively at 126 wins and 47 losses.
Klieman’s era at Kansas State was marked by consistent success, with his teams reaching bowl eligibility every year except the 2020 season, which was affected by the pandemic. This year, the Wildcats became bowl eligible again, finishing with a 6-6 record. The highlight of Klieman’s tenure was the team’s success in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, where they finished strong in the top 20 nationally, winning the prestigious Big 12 title and the Pop-Tarts Bowl in consecutive years.
Collin Klein’s return to Kansas State appears promising for the program. A former Wildcat quarterback from 2008 to 2012, Klein has a deep connection to the school, having served as a graduate assistant in 2014 and 2015 before progressing to quarterback coach and eventually offensive coordinator from 2017 until now. Under his mentorship, Texas A&M’s quarterback Marcel Reed has flourished this season, contributing significantly to the team’s impressive 11-1 record and playoff qualification.
With Klieman’s retirement and the anticipation surrounding Klein’s return, Kansas State fans are optimistic about the direction of their football program as it transitions into a new era.