Veteran coach Chris Klieman's success at Kansas State can make some forget his origins. Before he established his legacy of winning and consistency in Manhattan, KS, he was a champion in Fargo, ND.
Kleiman coached at North Dakota State from 2014 to 2018, during which he led the team to four FCS championships. Now, his old team is no longer an FCS powerhouse, as they will now join the Mountain West Conference.
Klieman's success in the FCS led to his hiring at Kansas State, and the rest is history. Klieman never had a losing season outside the 2020 COVID-19 season, while notching five Bowl appearances in his seven years in Manhattan, KS.
He officially retired in December, ushering in program legend Collin Klein as the 36th head coach for Kansas State football. With the shifting college football scenery and a lackluster 2025 season, Klieman seemingly exhausted himself out of the starting role. After his Utah loss, the veteran head coach was visibly upset with the outside criticism raining down amid an emotional loss.
Klieman thanked athletic director Gene Taylor and the Wildcats organization for betting on him straight out of the now-FBS North Dakota State.
"I've gotta express my gratitude and thanks to Gene Taylor for believing in and trusting this program in me. 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," Klieman said in his exiting press conference.
Klein, who coached under Klieman for five seasons as a quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator, recognized Klieman's impact on both him and the program.
"I’m not standing here today if not for coach Klieman," Klein said in his opening press conference. "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."