Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman and the assistants on his staff may be in line for new contracts coming off a successful first season with the Wildcats.
K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said he is working to make sure all of the school’s football coaches feel contractually secure in Manhattan and would turn down other jobs if approached by outside programs, while answering questions from fans in a video posted to the K-State athletic website on Thursday.
“We’re doing everything we can from a contract perspective, from a financial perspective, to secure up our coaches,” Taylor said, “and give them an opportunity to say that if they are getting asked (about other jobs) they have a really good opportunity to stay here, whether it’s contract length or salary increase. I’m currently doing that with Coach Klieman, doing some things to make sure that he’s comfortable.
Taylor did not elaborate on what a new contract might look like for Klieman, but it makes sense that he will receive an enhanced deal after guiding K-State to an 8-5 season that ended with a trip to the Liberty Bowl.
Klieman signed a six-year contract with a starting annual salary of $2.3 million when he was hired to replace Bill Snyder last December. Klieman is set to make $2.5 million next season under his current deal, which increases his salary by $200,000 annually through 2024, when he is set to make $3.3 million.
He was the lowest paid coach in the Big 12 last year, trailing KU’s Les Miles at $2.775 million.
But Klieman did earn an extra $100,000 in performance-based bonuses by leading the Wildcats to a bowl game and finishing in a tie for third place in the conference standings.
K-State’s assistant coaches combined to make $3,475,700 in salary, plus an extra $416,640 in bonus money.
Defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton ($550,000) is the highest paid assistant on Klieman’s staff.
It’s possible one, or several, of them could be tempted to coach elsewhere next season, but none of them are currently rumored to be looking for other jobs.
“I will tell you that our coaches are very happy here,” Taylor said. “They had a great year. I don’t see any of them leaving, but we’re going to do everything we can to keep them. There’s no question about that.”
K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said he is working to make sure all of the school’s football coaches feel contractually secure in Manhattan and would turn down other jobs if approached by outside programs, while answering questions from fans in a video posted to the K-State athletic website on Thursday.
“We’re doing everything we can from a contract perspective, from a financial perspective, to secure up our coaches,” Taylor said, “and give them an opportunity to say that if they are getting asked (about other jobs) they have a really good opportunity to stay here, whether it’s contract length or salary increase. I’m currently doing that with Coach Klieman, doing some things to make sure that he’s comfortable.
Taylor did not elaborate on what a new contract might look like for Klieman, but it makes sense that he will receive an enhanced deal after guiding K-State to an 8-5 season that ended with a trip to the Liberty Bowl.
Klieman signed a six-year contract with a starting annual salary of $2.3 million when he was hired to replace Bill Snyder last December. Klieman is set to make $2.5 million next season under his current deal, which increases his salary by $200,000 annually through 2024, when he is set to make $3.3 million.
He was the lowest paid coach in the Big 12 last year, trailing KU’s Les Miles at $2.775 million.
But Klieman did earn an extra $100,000 in performance-based bonuses by leading the Wildcats to a bowl game and finishing in a tie for third place in the conference standings.
K-State’s assistant coaches combined to make $3,475,700 in salary, plus an extra $416,640 in bonus money.
Defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton ($550,000) is the highest paid assistant on Klieman’s staff.
It’s possible one, or several, of them could be tempted to coach elsewhere next season, but none of them are currently rumored to be looking for other jobs.
“I will tell you that our coaches are very happy here,” Taylor said. “They had a great year. I don’t see any of them leaving, but we’re going to do everything we can to keep them. There’s no question about that.”
