K-State Athletics announces football coaching updates
Chris Klieman announces retirement; Collin Klein '11, '19 will serve as next head coach
At the press conference where K-State football head coach Chris Klieman announced
his retirement, he received a standing ovation, thanking him for his years of service.
“Wow — I can’t thank everybody enough for being here,” Klieman told the crowd, as
reported by D. Scott Fritchen ’99 in K-State Sports Extra. “It just goes to show me and prove to me that the good guys win, and doing things
the right way, and doing it with class, and with integrity is the right way. Guys,
that’s the K-State way.”
The Wildcats’ 54 wins during Klieman’s seven-year tenure are the most among active
Big 12 programs. K-State’s six total bowl appearances are tied for the most in the
conference, while the Wildcats are one of two Big 12 programs to advance to the postseason
each of the last five seasons. Additionally, Klieman kept the Governor’s Cup in Manhattan
for seven-straight years and extended K-State’s winning streak over its in-state rival
to 17-consecutive seasons.
“After many deep and thoughtful conversations with my family, we have decided that
the time is right for me to retire from coaching,” said Klieman, the second-winningest
coach in school history. “This decision was not taken lightly and was the culmination
of many factors, including my own personal health. I absolutely love coaching the
game of football and developing players into young men, but now is the time for me
to step away and spend more time with Rhonda and our three kids. I truly am thankful
to Gene Taylor for trusting me with this program in 2018, and we have accomplished
many great things including winning the 2022 Big 12 Championship. K-State will always
be a special part of our family’s story, and we will forever be Wildcats.”
One of the greatest players in school history will return to lead the Wildcats on
the sidelines, as Collin Klein '11, '19 has been named the next head football coach
at K-State.
A 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist and member of K-State Football’s Ring of Honor, Klein
is now in his 12th year in coaching, nine of which have come at K-State. He served as K-State’s offensive
coordinator in 2022 and 2023 and currently serves as the offensive coordinator at
Texas A&M, a role that he will continue in during the Aggies’ postseason run.
“My family and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to come home,” Klein
said. “Thank you to President Linton and Gene Taylor for believing in us to lead the
'Cats into a new era. The position of head coach at Kansas State has a long legacy
of service, hard work, determination and competitive greatness that I am honored to
carry forward. This is family business, and we cannot wait to get to work!”
Adam Walker ’04, ’09, K-State Alumni Association president and CEO, offers his best
wishes to both Klieman and Klein:
"In his seven years as coach of the Wildcats, Chris Klieman gave K-State everything
he had including a Big 12 championship, huge wins over conference opponents and an
atmosphere of competitiveness and fun that was exciting to watch. Thank you, Coach
Klieman, for everything you’ve done for K-State. You and your family are forever Wildcats.
We wish you the best in retirement.
"This is an exciting time for K-State as we welcome Collin ’11, ’19, Shalin ’11 and
the entire Klein family back to Manhattan. We’re excited to have Coach Klein return
as an alumnus to usher in a new era of K-State football and we’re thrilled to have
the Klein family wearing purple once again. Go 'Cats!"