Texas Tech’s Head Coach Praises KansasState Coach Chris Klieman’s Leadership

What did Texas Tech’s head coach have to say about Kansas State’s Chris Klieman?
Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman
Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

The Kansas State Wildcats have built a reputation for being one of the most consistent programs in college football. That legacy, rooted in the Bill Snyder era, has continued under current head coach Chris Klieman. He has managed to maintain Kansas State’s identity while pushing the program forward. Though the Wildcats stumbled early this season, starting with a 1-3 record, they’ve recently caught fire. And winning three of their last four games and reminding the Big 12 that they’re not a team to overlook.

Joey McGuire Highlights K-State’s Culture

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire is one of the latest voices to praise Klieman’s leadership and the culture. During a recent press conference, McGuire spoke candidly about his respect for the Kansas State head coach and the way his team plays the game.

"I have a lot of respect for Coach Klieman," McGuire said. "I think he is one of the best coaches in the country. [Kansas State has an] absolutely incredible culture, they’re hard nosed."

Despite early setbacks, the Wildcats have rallied behind their veteran coach. Especially to put together one of the strongest midseason turnarounds in the conference.

Klieman’s Steady Leadership Driving the Wildcats Forward

As McGuire pointed out, the Wildcats are "playing their best football right now." After that rough 1-3 start, Klieman’s team regrouped and began to show the kind of execution and confidence that defined last year’s successful campaign. "They started off not the way they wanted to, they started off 1-3, and then you turn around and you look up. In the last four games, they’re 3-1," McGuire said.

That turnaround has come with an impressive offensive surge. The Wildcats have beaten UCF by 14 points, dropped a close game at Baylor, topped TCU by 13, and blown out in-state rival Kansas by 25. Their offense has been clicking, ranking fourth in the Big 12 in scoring during conference play at 34.4 points per game.

Overall, they sit eighth in total scoring at 31 points per game. It's surely a reflection of the steady improvements Klieman's staff has engineered in recent weeks. For coach Klieman, this midseason push is another example of his ability to build resilience and belief in his program.

The Wildcats’ turnaround has been driven by the same traits that defined Klieman’s success at North Dakota State. And now, with momentum building and Big 12 competition heating up, Kansas State looks poised to keep climbing the standings.


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Shayni Maitra
SHAYNI MAITRA

Shayni Maitra is a sports girl through and through writing about everything from locker room drama to game-day legends in the NFL and NBA. She’s covered the action for outlets like College Sports Network, Sportskeeda, EssentiallySports, NB Media, and PinkVilla, blending sharp takes with a deep love for storytelling. Whether it’s college football rivalries, Olympic gold-chasers, or the off-field chaos that keeps Twitter alive, Shayni brings the heat with heart—and just the right amount of humor.