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Kansas State Coach Chris Klieman Signals Major Shakeup After Disappointing 6-6 Season

MANHATTAN — So, if you asked Kansas State’s head coach, Chris Klieman, about wrapping up the season with a 6-6 record, you’d better ask him when you’re asking. Before the season kicked off, when the Wildcats were wearing the Big 12 favorite tag like a badge of honor, Klieman would’ve called that record a downer. But fast forward to midseason, after a heartbreaking 2-4 stretch, including a blown lead at Baylor, maybe he’d have breathed a sigh of relief just clinching a single additional win. Now? After a gritty 24-14 triumph over Colorado, sealing their fifth straight bowl game appearance, Klieman admits it wasn’t the ride anyone was hoping for — not by a long shot. Yet, amidst the frustration, there’s a glimmer of pride in how the Cats rallied in the latter half. “By no means are we satisfied,” Klieman said. “We set high bars, especially after taking the Big 12 crown in 2022… not meeting those standards stings. But I’m damn proud of the grit shown by our seniors, coaching staff, and yeah, myself — we weren’t about to just give up.” With one more game left, the Wildcats are battling to close out a season marred by puzzling early losses, injuries, and an unsettled backfield — but a late surge that saw them lose narrowly only to playoff-bound foes. These Cats may not have lived up to the hype, yet they’re still scratching and clawing for every inch of field. The pressure’s mounting on Klieman to recalibrate and push the program back toward contention in 2026, but he’s fired up about the fight still left in this team. LEARN MORE

MANHATTAN — If you were to ask Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman what he thought about a 6-6 record to finish the regular season, he’d want to know when he was asked.

If he had been asked before the season, when many labeled the Wildcats a Big 12 favorite, Klieman knows it would’ve been disappointing.

If he had been asked after the Wildcats blew a fourth-quarter lead at Baylor to drop to 2-4, perhaps there would

One more game awaits Kansas State, which will put an end to what ultimately has been a disappointing season. A bowl appearance serves as a reward for a team that didn’t quit and won four of its last six for the right to play a 13th game.

Poor play highlighted the beginning of the season, which featured a head-scratching loss to Army and then a blown late lead at Baylor, while injuries and uncertainty at the running back position hung over most of the year. The Wildcats played better in the second half of the season, losing only to two teams battling for spots in the College Football Playoff.

Five of the Wildcats’ six defeats were one-score games. Only the Texas Tech loss was by more, and even then, K-State had the ball in the fourth quarter and was down by only nine.

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Chris Klieman of the Kansas State Wildcats looks on before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) — MANHATTAN, KS – NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Chris Klieman of the Kansas State Wildcats looks on before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

“Our record is the way it is,” quarterback Avery Johnson said. “I don’t think we’re a 6-6 team as far as coaching and talent-level, but when you can’t find a way to win games, that’s kind of what your record looks like.”

The Wildcats had to scratch and claw for their win over 3-9 Colorado. Almost a microcosm of the season, they started out flat, only to pull away later on. There was some frustration with the offense before it found a rhythm, and more inspired play in the second half helped them extend their season.

It’s no surprise there is warranted frustration with the program, given what’s been expected in recent years. The Wildcats have been picked to contend for Big 12 titles since winning it in 2022, but have yet to return to Arlington.

Changes will be desired, but they won’t be at the top. Klieman will be back in 2026, which was all but confirmed when athletic director Gene Taylor hugged the coach during a postgame press conference after the coach broke down following a loss to Utah on Nov. 22. It wasn’t in much question anyway, considering his back-to-back nine-win seasons that preceded this year and a hefty near-$30 million buyout.

There will certainly be more pressure on Klieman to make the necessary changes in order to get the Wildcats back in contention next year.

“We’ve gotta find ways to fill the roster up and be better with more options than we did when guys were knocked out,” Klieman said. “It’s hard when you lose some of your best dudes, and we have to go back and find ways to get over the hump.”

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman isn’t ‘satisfied’ with season