SE: K-State Football Notebook – Coaching Hires, Consistency and Building the QB Room
Apr 24, 2020 | Football, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
K-State head football coach Chris Klieman spoke to the media last week and if you ignored the fact that he was on a Zoom chat talking to people in sweatpants, it almost felt normal.
Klieman talked about preparing for next season and some of the new hires and promotions on the K-State coaching staff. He also said things that made it clear, in a refreshingly honest sort of way, that everything isn't normal.
"Not every day is a great day, I know it. There are some struggles to get up in the morning and do stuff by yourself," Klieman said. "I think our communication as a whole has been challenged, but I've been really pleased with the response from our guys."
For anyone who woke up today and thought to themselves, "What did Friday used to feel like?" hearing that kind of response from a Big 12 head coach was a nice reminder that we're all going through it together right now.
"The thing I learned the most is that we have great buy-in amongst our guys," Klieman said. "We developed a great relationship really fast with all of our team, all of our coaches did. So, I think there's a great trust there, us in them and them in us. I know that will help us through this time."
Consistency on the Sidelines
Four K-State assistants also hopped on Zoom calls with the media and a common theme was the importance of keeping the Wildcats together during a challenging offseason. That's easier said than done, but it's clear that Klieman will have a diverse set of experiences to draw on.
Offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman both coached under Klieman at North Dakota State. Assistant head coach Van Malone has worked on Big 12 and SEC sidelines and quarterbacks coach Collin Klein – ever heard of him? - was a Heisman finalist at K-State.
"To have coaches be in the system for two years and players be in the system for multiple years, I think is an incredible advantage and that's something that Coach Klieman talked about, he wanted to make sure that he kept the staff intact as best he could," Malone said.
It would be one thing to talk about the importance of consistency, but that theme appears throughout many of Klieman's biggest decisions in building his staff for next season.
Klanderman steps in as DC
No move on the K-State sidelines was bigger this offseason that promoting Joe Klanderman to defensive coordinator. Klanderman coached the K-State safeties in 2019, leading the Big 12's number two-ranked pass defense in his first season with the Wildcats, after coaching under Klieman for five seasons at North Dakota State.
"I had been interviewing for this job for six years, so I think that Coach [Klieman] knew what I was all about. I certainly didn't lobby for it or anything like that. I think that he knew that I was ready," Klanderman said.
Klanderman won't have to worry about installing a new system in 2020 and he made it clear that K-State's primary focus on defense won't change: play sound football and eliminate explosive plays. Even after Scottie Hazelton had success with the unit last season, it sounds like the Wildcats will look to add a few more aggressive wrinkles on defense.
"Scottie [Hazelton] and I come from the same tree. Some of the things that worry him don't worry me as much, and vice versa," Klanderman said. "The way we fundamentally teach some things may be a little bit more aggressive."
Stanard Reunites with Klieman as LBs Coach
Steve Stanard made the move from Syracuse this offseason to help Klieman round out his coaching staff as the team's new linebackers coach.
Stanard coached under Klieman at North Dakota State from 2012-13 before joining Wyoming as defensive coordinator and spending three seasons coaching the defensive ends at Syracuse.
He also served as the interim DC with the Orange to close out the 2019 season.
"He and I have worked together for a few years in a couple of those 15-game seasons when we're in the defensive staff room all the time," Klieman said. "He's going to add so much to our defense. I know that he's enjoyed being on the Zoom meetings and learning the personalities of the linebackers."
"Obviously, his background with Coach Klieman helps because some of the terminology that I use is stuff that they would have used at North Dakota State," Klanderman said. "He's just a really sharp football coach. Even though his learning curve might be great, he picks it up really quickly."
Building the QB Room
One area where the Wildcats won't have to worry this offseason is at quarterback, as Skylar Thompson will return to Manhattan for his senior season. That means quarterbacks coach Collin Klein can spend a little more time focusing on who will be QB2 when the season begins.
"This last January 1, my room will look the same as it does this August 1, which is kind of cool [because] it's going to be those six guys," Klein said. "My message from day one is, 'Hey, we have to compete. It's doesn't matter if you just got here and walked in the door or if you've been here for four years. You have to act, prepare and carry yourself like you're the starting quarterback.' We all know that Skylar [Thompson] is going to take the first snap, but after that it's every single day and everything you do."
Klein said he is hoping Will Howard, Max Marsh and Bart Harris will push returning backup QB Nick Ast and elevate the level of the whole unit. Three-star recruit Howard will be the newest face in the QB room, and the Carson Wentz fan's journey to Manhattan is a fascinating one.
His next chapter at K-State might be even more exciting.
"Will's done a great job – and obviously I was really excited about his potential even through the recruiting process – just understanding his makeup. He's a very organized learner, thinker, processor," Klein said.
Wildcats to Watch in the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft has already been an oasis for sports fans and a few Wildcats will keep their phones close by this weekend. If K-State's Big 12-leading streak of at least one draft pick every season is going to reach 27 years, the Wildcat responsible could be a member of the O-line.
The headliner of that senior-heavy group in 2019 is Scott Frantz, who has appeared in a few mock drafts as a seventh-round target for NFL teams in need of help in the trenches.
The last two offensive linemen to make the jump from Manhattan to the NFL Draft? Dalton Risner (R2, Pick 41 to Denver in 2019) and Cody Whitehair (R2, Pick 56 to Chicago in 2016), who both landed on All-Rookie Teams. Whitehair also made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2018.
K-State head football coach Chris Klieman spoke to the media last week and if you ignored the fact that he was on a Zoom chat talking to people in sweatpants, it almost felt normal.
Klieman talked about preparing for next season and some of the new hires and promotions on the K-State coaching staff. He also said things that made it clear, in a refreshingly honest sort of way, that everything isn't normal.
"Not every day is a great day, I know it. There are some struggles to get up in the morning and do stuff by yourself," Klieman said. "I think our communication as a whole has been challenged, but I've been really pleased with the response from our guys."
For anyone who woke up today and thought to themselves, "What did Friday used to feel like?" hearing that kind of response from a Big 12 head coach was a nice reminder that we're all going through it together right now.
"The thing I learned the most is that we have great buy-in amongst our guys," Klieman said. "We developed a great relationship really fast with all of our team, all of our coaches did. So, I think there's a great trust there, us in them and them in us. I know that will help us through this time."
Consistency on the Sidelines
Four K-State assistants also hopped on Zoom calls with the media and a common theme was the importance of keeping the Wildcats together during a challenging offseason. That's easier said than done, but it's clear that Klieman will have a diverse set of experiences to draw on.
Offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman both coached under Klieman at North Dakota State. Assistant head coach Van Malone has worked on Big 12 and SEC sidelines and quarterbacks coach Collin Klein – ever heard of him? - was a Heisman finalist at K-State.
"To have coaches be in the system for two years and players be in the system for multiple years, I think is an incredible advantage and that's something that Coach Klieman talked about, he wanted to make sure that he kept the staff intact as best he could," Malone said.
It would be one thing to talk about the importance of consistency, but that theme appears throughout many of Klieman's biggest decisions in building his staff for next season.
Klanderman steps in as DC
No move on the K-State sidelines was bigger this offseason that promoting Joe Klanderman to defensive coordinator. Klanderman coached the K-State safeties in 2019, leading the Big 12's number two-ranked pass defense in his first season with the Wildcats, after coaching under Klieman for five seasons at North Dakota State.
"I had been interviewing for this job for six years, so I think that Coach [Klieman] knew what I was all about. I certainly didn't lobby for it or anything like that. I think that he knew that I was ready," Klanderman said.
Klanderman won't have to worry about installing a new system in 2020 and he made it clear that K-State's primary focus on defense won't change: play sound football and eliminate explosive plays. Even after Scottie Hazelton had success with the unit last season, it sounds like the Wildcats will look to add a few more aggressive wrinkles on defense.
"Scottie [Hazelton] and I come from the same tree. Some of the things that worry him don't worry me as much, and vice versa," Klanderman said. "The way we fundamentally teach some things may be a little bit more aggressive."
Stanard Reunites with Klieman as LBs Coach
Steve Stanard made the move from Syracuse this offseason to help Klieman round out his coaching staff as the team's new linebackers coach.
Stanard coached under Klieman at North Dakota State from 2012-13 before joining Wyoming as defensive coordinator and spending three seasons coaching the defensive ends at Syracuse.
He also served as the interim DC with the Orange to close out the 2019 season.
"He and I have worked together for a few years in a couple of those 15-game seasons when we're in the defensive staff room all the time," Klieman said. "He's going to add so much to our defense. I know that he's enjoyed being on the Zoom meetings and learning the personalities of the linebackers."
"Obviously, his background with Coach Klieman helps because some of the terminology that I use is stuff that they would have used at North Dakota State," Klanderman said. "He's just a really sharp football coach. Even though his learning curve might be great, he picks it up really quickly."
Building the QB Room
One area where the Wildcats won't have to worry this offseason is at quarterback, as Skylar Thompson will return to Manhattan for his senior season. That means quarterbacks coach Collin Klein can spend a little more time focusing on who will be QB2 when the season begins.
"This last January 1, my room will look the same as it does this August 1, which is kind of cool [because] it's going to be those six guys," Klein said. "My message from day one is, 'Hey, we have to compete. It's doesn't matter if you just got here and walked in the door or if you've been here for four years. You have to act, prepare and carry yourself like you're the starting quarterback.' We all know that Skylar [Thompson] is going to take the first snap, but after that it's every single day and everything you do."
Klein said he is hoping Will Howard, Max Marsh and Bart Harris will push returning backup QB Nick Ast and elevate the level of the whole unit. Three-star recruit Howard will be the newest face in the QB room, and the Carson Wentz fan's journey to Manhattan is a fascinating one.
His next chapter at K-State might be even more exciting.
"Will's done a great job – and obviously I was really excited about his potential even through the recruiting process – just understanding his makeup. He's a very organized learner, thinker, processor," Klein said.
Wildcats to Watch in the NFL Draft
The NFL Draft has already been an oasis for sports fans and a few Wildcats will keep their phones close by this weekend. If K-State's Big 12-leading streak of at least one draft pick every season is going to reach 27 years, the Wildcat responsible could be a member of the O-line.
The headliner of that senior-heavy group in 2019 is Scott Frantz, who has appeared in a few mock drafts as a seventh-round target for NFL teams in need of help in the trenches.
The last two offensive linemen to make the jump from Manhattan to the NFL Draft? Dalton Risner (R2, Pick 41 to Denver in 2019) and Cody Whitehair (R2, Pick 56 to Chicago in 2016), who both landed on All-Rookie Teams. Whitehair also made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2018.
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