MANHATTAN, Kan. — In a surprising move, Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement on Wednesday after leading the Wildcats for seven seasons.
Klieman, 58, revealed that the decision to step away from coaching had been weighing on his mind for some time. “After many deep and thoughtful conversations with my family, we have decided that the time is right for me to retire from coaching,” he stated. “This decision was not taken lightly and was the culmination of many factors, including my own personal health.”
Taking over the program in 2018, Klieman succeeded the iconic Bill Snyder, who had established a legacy of success at K-State. Klieman came to the Wildcats after a successful tenure at North Dakota State and quickly proved his capability. Under his leadership, the team achieved a record of 54-34, participated in six bowl games, and secured one Big 12 championship.
Among his notable achievements, Klieman celebrated three victories over Oklahoma, seven wins against Kansas, and a memorable trip to the 2022 Sugar Bowl. However, his popularity has waned in recent seasons, and this year was particularly challenging for him. Last season, he experienced dizziness during a game against Kansas and became emotional while defending his team after a tough loss to Utah this year.
Despite exhibiting a positive demeanor following a win over Colorado last week, Klieman ultimately decided it was time to conclude his coaching career. “I absolutely love coaching the game of football and developing players into young men,” he expressed. “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.”
Gene Taylor, the athletic director at Kansas State, shared his emotional response to Klieman”s retirement. “Chris Klieman has built a program and culture that embodies what it means to be a K-Stater,” he stated. “Following a legend was no easy task, and he quickly established himself as one of the best coaches in the Big 12 and one of the most successful in our program”s history. He is a special person, and we have been fortunate to have him leading the young men in our program and being a first-class representative of Kansas State University. I will miss being able to work with Coach Klieman on a daily basis, and it has been an honor to do so the last several years. We wish him, Rhonda, and the kids all the success and happiness they desire as they enter this next phase of their lives.”
Looking ahead, Klieman is expected to pass the coaching reins to former K-State quarterback and assistant coach Collin Klein, who is currently serving as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. Sources indicate that he is working on finalizing a deal to return to his alma mater, a move that has generated excitement among K-State fans. On Wednesday, many supporters took the opportunity to express their gratitude to Klieman for his contributions over the past seven seasons.
