This report clearly states the Top Candidate for MSU is
Chris Klieman (Kansas State)
Klieman, in my opinion, is the most compelling candidate for the Spartans. He’s a coach with a proven track record, a defensive background and has won at multiple schools. It’s no surprise Klieman has been successful at Kansas State, after winning four FCS national championships at North Dakota State.
Excluding the current season, Klieman’s career record as a head coach is 102-33. In his fourth year at Kansas State, he led the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship over then-unbeaten TCU. In 2023, Kansas State has an established identity and is looking to defend their Big 12 conference title.
There are various reasons Klieman could be intrigued by Michigan State – more money, better facilities, better recruiting potential, the opportunity to compete against some of the best programs in America, etc.
One overlooked factor could be that Klieman has crossed paths with one of the Spartans’ current coaches. MSU defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton has coached with Klieman at two stops – they worked together on the defensive staff at North Dakota State in 2011, and Hazelton was Klieman’s defensive coordinator in his first season at Kansas State in 2019. Learning that could make some (most?) Spartan fans cringe, but that prior relationship may help MSU land the current K-State coach.
Chris Klieman (Kansas State)
Klieman, in my opinion, is the most compelling candidate for the Spartans. He’s a coach with a proven track record, a defensive background and has won at multiple schools. It’s no surprise Klieman has been successful at Kansas State, after winning four FCS national championships at North Dakota State.
Excluding the current season, Klieman’s career record as a head coach is 102-33. In his fourth year at Kansas State, he led the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship over then-unbeaten TCU. In 2023, Kansas State has an established identity and is looking to defend their Big 12 conference title.
There are various reasons Klieman could be intrigued by Michigan State – more money, better facilities, better recruiting potential, the opportunity to compete against some of the best programs in America, etc.
One overlooked factor could be that Klieman has crossed paths with one of the Spartans’ current coaches. MSU defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton has coached with Klieman at two stops – they worked together on the defensive staff at North Dakota State in 2011, and Hazelton was Klieman’s defensive coordinator in his first season at Kansas State in 2019. Learning that could make some (most?) Spartan fans cringe, but that prior relationship may help MSU land the current K-State coach.
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