Michigan Interested In 4-Time National Champion HC

admin | January 25, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the Los Angeles Chargers, Michigan needs a new head coach.

Chris Klieman, the head coach of Kansas State, has a wealth of championship experience and could be a good fit.

On Wednesday, Pete Thamel of ESPN named Klieman as one of the possible contenders. Harbaugh departs from the Michigan Wolverines following a national title and

Prior to joining K-State, Klieman led North Dakota State to four FCS national titles and an 18-1 record in postseason play from 2014 to 2018. The next season, he accepted a position at K-State, where he has since amassed a 39-24 record with the Wildcats and one Big 12 Conference championship.

It is important to remember that NDSU is not your typical mid-major football program. Since 2011, the Bison have dominated the FCS, defeating teams led by Klieman while he was the head coach, including Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa State, and Colorado State.

Many of the fourteen former Bison who are currently in the NFL, including three quarterbacks, were under Klieman. Among the notable players are Cody Mauch, Cordell Volson, Trevor Lance, Christian Watson, Carson Wentz, and Jamiel Cox.

Under Klieman’s leadership, K-State has produced twelve NFL players in Manhattan, Kansas. Deuce Vaughn, Skylar Thompson, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Ekow Boye-Doe, Russ Yeast, and Josh Hayes [also NDSU] are among the notable players.

Notably, Klieman succeeded renowned former K-State head coach Bill Snyder, who led the Wildcats to two Big 12 titles in his two stints there between 1989 and 2018.

Chris Klieman Turned Down Michigan State in 2023

After Mel Tucker was sacked at Michigan State in September 2023 over accusations of sexual harassment, Klieman refuted rumors in the media that he was considering applying for the Spartans position.

“I will be staying in Manhattan and will not be a contender for that position,” Klieman declared on “Big 12 Today” on XM Radio, as reported by CBS Sports.

Klieman led the No. 18 Wildcats to a 9-4 record, which featured a 28-19 Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over North Carolina State. As a result, K-State benefited. After losing numerous important players from a 10-4 Big 12 championship squad in 2022, Klieman managed to keep the Wildcats competitive.

Turning Down MSU More About Loyalty for Chris Klieman

The fact that Klieman declined MSU does not imply that he was holding out for a better chance, like playing for the national champion Wolverines. Due to his intentions to remain in Manhattan, he has not openly chased the openings on the Washington and Alabama College Football Playoff teams in recent years.

It had something to do with the person who initially brought him to K-State. When Klieman was coaching the Bison football team, Gene Taylor, the athletic director at K-State, was the athletic director at NDSU.

Taylor told the media via Kansas.com, “Obviously his name has been discussed a lot of times, but it is very unusual that he has come to me and said, ‘hey, I have an interest in talking to them.'”

“It is kind of dual-purpose,” Taylor continued. One is that you believe your partner is doing things correctly because other people see it. However, given that many of these schools are able to pay far more than we can, it can be a little nerve-wracking. It gives you the impression at some point that he might have a look at it, but the good news is that has not happened.

Rather, Klieman intends to continue enhancing the Wildcats’ program into 2024 and beyond.