They say you don't appreciate something until it's gone.
That's likely how Kansas State fans felt today, as coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement from football on Wednesday afternoon. Some Wildcats fans called for Klieman's job all season amid a lackluster year, but his official resignation probably has them taking it back.
Klieman exits the program with a standard of winning as his lasting legacy in Manhattan, KS.
"It just goes to show me that the good guys win," Klieman said in his retirement press conference. "Doing things the right way, with class and integrity, is the right way, and that’s the K-State way. It’s been an emotional day for me, and I am at peace. I’ve had so many colleagues, former players, parents of current players, call to congratulate Rhonda and I. And it’s why I’m in this business. To have that impact, not just on a kid that plays for you, but on a parent. On a support staff member and everybody that you touch. That’s leadership to me. Leadership is how many people can impact on a daily basis, making sure that’s a different person every day."
Klieman thanked those around him for their support throughout his seven years as the head coach, but emphasized the need to put his personal life first in this new chapter.
"My entire coaching career, I’ve put other people first. For the first time ever, I’m putting Rhonda, Devin, Haley and Colby first," Klieman said. "I've gotta express my gratitude and thanks to Gene Taylor for believing and trust in this program to me. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 7 years ago that Kenny and Preston and Starkey came up and pick 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 that believed in me and loved me. I’m proud of what we accomplished in these seven years. A Big 12 championship, eight or more wins and there’s only eight teams in the country that had that for four straight years. We made it to a ball game six out of seven years, at a place like Kansas State. And we did it with hard work, dedication, and the right kind of people. We had everybody with both feet in all the time and that’s not just players; that's coaches, support staff, that’s everybody."