When Klieman was hired a good majority of this board expected a rough two years with the roster that was inherited. I remember polls on this board about records in Klieman's first few seasons. Many expected something like 4-8 or 5-7 the first two years and then improvement by the third year.
Klieman did a nice job his first season leading the team to an 8-4 record which then raised expectations while still having a underwhelming roster. This led to a great deal of disappointment in the fanbase when the team went 4-6 this year even though that had been the expectation back when CK was first hired.
A reminder of the roster that he inherited: There's around 25 players left from across 3 recruiting classes, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Or the RS Seniors, Seniors/RS Juniors, and Juniors/RS Sophomores.
2016:
Skylar Thompson (Injured)
AJ Parker
Bronson Massie
DJ Render
Nick Lenners
Mason Barta
2017:
Wyatt Hubert
Jahron McPherson
Daniel Green
Chabastian Taylor
Sammy Wheeler
Drew Wiley
Eli Huggins
Josh Rivas
Ben Adler
2018:
Cody Fletcher
Malik Knowles
Cartez Crook-Jones
Ekow Boye-Dow
Kaitori Leveston
Christian Duffie
Spencer Trussell
Wayne Jones
Lance Robinson (Opted out)
Jaylin Pickle
These first two years were going to be a tall task for this coaching staff regardless and COVID obviously made it even more difficult. In the end they went 12-11 with some good wins and some bad losses. This staff is not without their issues but I think they are capable with a average Big 12 roster of eventually competing with the top of the Big 12. Now are they going to be able to recruit well enough to be able to reach that level of talent? I don't know TBD. But I sure hope the 2020 and 2021 classes pan out, I want Coach K to be successful.
Throw this season into the trash, go recruit and make it happen next year.
Klieman did a nice job his first season leading the team to an 8-4 record which then raised expectations while still having a underwhelming roster. This led to a great deal of disappointment in the fanbase when the team went 4-6 this year even though that had been the expectation back when CK was first hired.
A reminder of the roster that he inherited: There's around 25 players left from across 3 recruiting classes, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Or the RS Seniors, Seniors/RS Juniors, and Juniors/RS Sophomores.
2016:
Skylar Thompson (Injured)
AJ Parker
Bronson Massie
DJ Render
Nick Lenners
Mason Barta
2017:
Wyatt Hubert
Jahron McPherson
Daniel Green
Chabastian Taylor
Sammy Wheeler
Drew Wiley
Eli Huggins
Josh Rivas
Ben Adler
2018:
Cody Fletcher
Malik Knowles
Cartez Crook-Jones
Ekow Boye-Dow
Kaitori Leveston
Christian Duffie
Spencer Trussell
Wayne Jones
Lance Robinson (Opted out)
Jaylin Pickle
These first two years were going to be a tall task for this coaching staff regardless and COVID obviously made it even more difficult. In the end they went 12-11 with some good wins and some bad losses. This staff is not without their issues but I think they are capable with a average Big 12 roster of eventually competing with the top of the Big 12. Now are they going to be able to recruit well enough to be able to reach that level of talent? I don't know TBD. But I sure hope the 2020 and 2021 classes pan out, I want Coach K to be successful.
Throw this season into the trash, go recruit and make it happen next year.
