Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is retiring after seven seasons with the school, the program announced Wednesday, as sources previously confirmed to ’s Bryan Fischer. Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein, a former star quarterback for the Wildcats and former offensive coordinator with the school, is considered the top target to replace Klieman.
The news was first reported by
“After many deep and thoughtful conversations with my family, we have decided that the time is right for me to retire from coaching,” Klieman said in Kansas State’s press release announcing the move. “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.”
Klieman went 54–34 in seven seasons with the school, but the 2025 season was particularly frustrating for the Wildcats. Klieman had won at least nine games each of the last three seasons, and with returning quarterback Avery Johnson, the program was expecting better than a 6–6 season.
It was enough for the 58-year-old Klieman, a four-time national championship head coach at North Dakota State, to consider stepping down. It now appears he is doing so with Kansas State clamoring for the opportunity to lock in a native son in Klein.
