The 35th head football coach in Kansas State University history, Chris Klieman, was introduced during a press conference in Manhattan on Wednesday.
Early on in his opening comments Klieman addressed former head coach Bill Snyder, who was in attendance. “I know the shoes that I have to fill coach. You’re a legend, an icon, I look up to you, I’m going to continue to ask you questions, I’m going to continue to bounce ideas off you because you are Kansas State football.”
Klieman stated it’s a privilege to be the head football coach at Kansas State. “It’s a privilege to get to know the former players. I want you back into our program, you’ve always been in our program but I want you around.” Klieman touched on the importance of carrying on the legacy of what has been accomplished. “I’m a huge former player guy.”
The new head coach stated the K-State program is in really good shape. “That’s a credit to Coach Snyder and the staff, and the current players. “My goal is this: to challenge everyone of those guys to win every day, compete and win each day, whether that’s in the academic world, classroom. whether it’s on the football field, socially, whether it’s strength and conditioning, you win every dang day and you challenge each other to be great, challenge each other to leave their comfort zone, challenge each other to see how great we can be, and hold each other to the high standard that is Kansas State football.”
While working to get started at Kansas State, Klieman will also continue coaching his North Dakota State team in the postseason FCS playoffs. They play South Dakota State in the semifinals Friday night.