Well guys, I listed to the full segment of Jeremy Crabtree on Soren 810 today so you didn't have to. A lot of good discussion about recruiting, new staff, and KU v KSU dynamic. Very good and thorough interview by Jeremy Crabtree.
Here's the synopsis and key points.
(1) Crabtree wasn't surprised that KSU hired Klieman. Football people across the realm, specifically KC area, Big 10 area, and Texas, gave glowing reviews of Klieman. Coaches said they begged KSU, KU and other local schools to offer certain players that they believed to be P5 guys, but they wouldn't, so many went to NDSU and succeeded. To a man in the high school coaching ranks, they spoke glowingly of Klieman, and it was definitely genuine.
(2) Went into the FCS to P5 jump. From a recruiting angle, Soren asked, how hard is it to go toe to toe with P5 programs instead of mining the leftovers? Crabtree said it'll be interesting because you are now recruiting against the best of the best. KSU is going to have to hustle on the road, on social media, and all the things that KSU has neglected for many years. It'll be interesting to see what approach Klieman does. It'll take a lot of hustle and out evaluate everyone out there.
(3) In regards to staff, Crabtree said keeping Taylor Braet was HUGE! Picking up recruitments while having no head coach is ridiculous. What Taylor Braet has done despite the restrictions is extremely extremely difficult. He's one of the best in the Big 12.
(4) Crabtree said they should keep Collin Klein, Blake Seiler, and Norwood. All those guys are great recruiters and good coaches. Crabtree said in addition to the KSU guys, add 3-4 from NDSU staff, and grab 3-4 outside guys that have great connections and are good coaches with OU/TX backgrounds.
(5) In regards to Sean Snyder, while many want him as far away from the program as possible. He does know a lot about KSU and what it takes at KSU. It'll be up to Klieman what he wants to do with him.
(6) Talked about Ron Prince. Said Prince was "wanky." Alienated former players. Alienated fans. Decisions to not involve the alumni, and trying to reinvent the wheel was a wanky strategy when the wheel didn't need to be reinvented. Prince did not take much advise with people that were at KSU before. Feels like Klieman will lean on Bill and Sean Snyder and the people that has been at KSU. Crabtree sees that as a positive.
(7) Back to recruiting, Crabtree says Texas needs to be a part of the footprint. So it would mean Seiler or Norwood, or pulling someone that has a footprint there. However, Texas does not have to be a focal point for KSU recruiting. Mentioned Iowa State and how Iowa State recruits a lot locally, and dips into Texas, but doesn't have Texas a a big part of their footprint. Mentioned NDSU dabbled in Texas and elsewhere, so recruiting Texas isn't necessarily something new for Klieman.
(8) Regarding KU, likes the 2 coordinator hires. Likes the QB that KU signed. The new KU QB had major offers out of high school, including LSU. Things didn't work out at Pitt and went juco. This new QB has good film. 4.5-4.6 speed kid. Big kid too. This QB is a high 3 star prospect.
(9) In regards to KU v KSU local recruiting battle. Beaty vs Bill Snyder wasn't really a thing head to head in Kansas. Beaty and Snyder for the most part went after different players. Starting to see some battles emerge such as Keenan Garber. Most people think it's a KU flip. Klieman putting in the calls and will be visiting Garber. Crabtree excited to see the local recruiting battles.
Overall, very good interview and on point to what has been discussed on this board.
Here's the synopsis and key points.
(1) Crabtree wasn't surprised that KSU hired Klieman. Football people across the realm, specifically KC area, Big 10 area, and Texas, gave glowing reviews of Klieman. Coaches said they begged KSU, KU and other local schools to offer certain players that they believed to be P5 guys, but they wouldn't, so many went to NDSU and succeeded. To a man in the high school coaching ranks, they spoke glowingly of Klieman, and it was definitely genuine.
(2) Went into the FCS to P5 jump. From a recruiting angle, Soren asked, how hard is it to go toe to toe with P5 programs instead of mining the leftovers? Crabtree said it'll be interesting because you are now recruiting against the best of the best. KSU is going to have to hustle on the road, on social media, and all the things that KSU has neglected for many years. It'll be interesting to see what approach Klieman does. It'll take a lot of hustle and out evaluate everyone out there.
(3) In regards to staff, Crabtree said keeping Taylor Braet was HUGE! Picking up recruitments while having no head coach is ridiculous. What Taylor Braet has done despite the restrictions is extremely extremely difficult. He's one of the best in the Big 12.
(4) Crabtree said they should keep Collin Klein, Blake Seiler, and Norwood. All those guys are great recruiters and good coaches. Crabtree said in addition to the KSU guys, add 3-4 from NDSU staff, and grab 3-4 outside guys that have great connections and are good coaches with OU/TX backgrounds.
(5) In regards to Sean Snyder, while many want him as far away from the program as possible. He does know a lot about KSU and what it takes at KSU. It'll be up to Klieman what he wants to do with him.
(6) Talked about Ron Prince. Said Prince was "wanky." Alienated former players. Alienated fans. Decisions to not involve the alumni, and trying to reinvent the wheel was a wanky strategy when the wheel didn't need to be reinvented. Prince did not take much advise with people that were at KSU before. Feels like Klieman will lean on Bill and Sean Snyder and the people that has been at KSU. Crabtree sees that as a positive.
(7) Back to recruiting, Crabtree says Texas needs to be a part of the footprint. So it would mean Seiler or Norwood, or pulling someone that has a footprint there. However, Texas does not have to be a focal point for KSU recruiting. Mentioned Iowa State and how Iowa State recruits a lot locally, and dips into Texas, but doesn't have Texas a a big part of their footprint. Mentioned NDSU dabbled in Texas and elsewhere, so recruiting Texas isn't necessarily something new for Klieman.
(8) Regarding KU, likes the 2 coordinator hires. Likes the QB that KU signed. The new KU QB had major offers out of high school, including LSU. Things didn't work out at Pitt and went juco. This new QB has good film. 4.5-4.6 speed kid. Big kid too. This QB is a high 3 star prospect.
(9) In regards to KU v KSU local recruiting battle. Beaty vs Bill Snyder wasn't really a thing head to head in Kansas. Beaty and Snyder for the most part went after different players. Starting to see some battles emerge such as Keenan Garber. Most people think it's a KU flip. Klieman putting in the calls and will be visiting Garber. Crabtree excited to see the local recruiting battles.
Overall, very good interview and on point to what has been discussed on this board.
