Kansas State: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2026–now

Collin Klein Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

4-4

2019–2025

Chris Klieman Steady

Chris Klieman held the Wildcats at Power Program III for 7 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

+3.9 pts over 7 seasons · top 41% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Philip Montgomery’s Tulsa run (2015–2022)

3rd-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Snyder (2009–2018) · succeeded by Collin Klein (2026–now).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Record & result
Record	8-5	4-6	8-5	10-4	9-4	9-4	6-6
Postseason	L bowl	—	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#62	#51	#56	#63	#33	#57	#35
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	36.0	41.2	41.6	40.5	44.5	45.8	46.2
Coordinators
OC	Courtney Messingham	Courtney Messingham	Courtney Messingham	Collin Klein	Collin Klein	Matt Wells / Conor Riley	Matt Wells
DC	Scottie Hazelton	Joe Klanderman	Joe Klanderman	Joe Klanderman	Joe Klanderman	Joe Klanderman	Joe Klanderman
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	34	36	89	74	79	87	76
Defense	37	15	30	53	39	79	67
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	30.3	33.9	36.6	37.7	44.2	44.3	40.8
Red-zone pass%	35.6	33.7	34.0	39.1	36.1	44.1	33.3
4th-down go%opp. territory	23.7	17.9	41.9	46.2	50.0	43.2	50.0

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

+17.5 pts

#45 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

-4.7 pts

#127 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-43

#133 of 187 FBS stints

Notable portal arrivals with a modeled NIL value

George Fitzpatrick On3 modeled · $1,200,000

On3’s modeled estimate (social reach / exposure), not money actually paid — shown per player, never totaled.

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′2″, 228 lbs

across 38 of 47 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+7.6 lbs

#47 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: TX (5), IN (3), GA (3), AZ (2), KS (2)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

57.0

position-weighted

Talent lost

57.0

position-weighted

Net

-0.0

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Adrian Martinez (QB) from Nebraska

Biggest loss: Will Howard (QB) to Ohio State

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Courtney Messingham → Collin Klein · 2022The system held

2-season window either side.

1st-down pass rate: 35.3% → 41.0% (+5.7 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 54% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Collin Klein → Matt Wells (co) / Conor Riley (co) · 2024

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 44.2% → 44.3% (+0.1 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 39% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Matt Wells (co) / Conor Riley (co) → Matt Wells · 2025

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 44.3% → 40.8% (-3.5 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 69% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Scottie Hazelton → Joe Klanderman · 2020

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

217 lbs

6′3″ avg · #253 of 767 · middle half

Running back

195 lbs

5′9″ avg · #751 of 791 · bottom quarter

Wide receiver

193 lbs

6′1″ avg · #404 of 791 · middle half

Tight end

245 lbs

6′5″ avg · #346 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

306 lbs

6′5″ avg · #500 of 779 · middle half

D-line

298 lbs

6′3″ avg · #112 of 753 · top quarter

Edge

260 lbs

6′4″ avg · #56 of 188 · middle half

Linebacker

229 lbs

6′2″ avg · #348 of 772 · middle half

Cornerback

193 lbs

6′0″ avg · #220 of 771 · middle half

Safety

198 lbs

6′0″ avg · #156 of 346 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Edge from high school

78%

#173 of 208 stints

Grows D-line from high school

78%

#183 of 239 stints

Postseason detail2019: Lost to Navy 17-20 Bowl2021: Beat LSU 42-20 TaxAct Texas Bowl2022: Lost to Alabama 20-45 Allstate Sugar Bowl2023: Beat NC State 28-19 Pop-Tarts Bowl2024: Beat Rutgers 44-41 Rate Bowl

15 NFL Draft picks: Wyatt Hubert (2021), Skylar Thompson (2022), Russ Yeast (2022), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2023), Julius Brents (2023), Josh Hayes (2023), Deuce Vaughn (2023), Ben Sinnott (2024) + 7 more

5 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Deuce Vaughn (2021), Deuce Vaughn (2022), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2022), Cooper Beebe (2022), Cooper Beebe (2023)

AI Narratives — “Kansas State's offseason losses create pressure points” and 4 more on the team page.

+3.9

54-34

1989–2005, 2009–2018

Bill Snyder Transformer

Bill Snyder took the Wildcats from Regional Program V to Power Program I.

2010 defense ranked in the 4th percentile nationally — historically bad

+50.3 pts over 27 seasons · top 2% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Ben Schwartzwalder’s Syracuse run (1949–1973)

1st-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Stan Parrish (1986–1988) · succeeded by Ron Prince (2006–2008) · returned in 2009 · succeeded by Chris Klieman (2019–2025).

System Shift, on departure

Season	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Record & result
Record	1-10	5-6	7-4	5-6	9-2-1	9-3	10-2	9-3	11-1	11-2	11-1	11-3	6-6	11-2	11-4	4-7	5-6	6-6	7-6	10-3	11-2	8-5	9-4	6-7	9-4	8-5	5-7
Postseason	—	—	—	—	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	—	—	—	L bowl	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	W bowl	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	#14	#35	#70	#76	#51	#73	#64	#49	#54	#72	#61	#66
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	38.9	42.4	37.2	34.6	32.4	37.5	37.9	46.6	39.4	35.1	34.2	36.4
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Dana Dimel / Del Miller	Dana Dimel / Del Miller	Dana Dimel / Del Miller	Dana Dimel	Collin Klein / Andre Coleman
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	Tom Hayes	Tom Hayes	Tom Hayes	Tom Hayes	Brian Norwood / Blake Seiler
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	16	20	57	73	35	64	84	86	28	79	76	30
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	46	71	35	4	48	33	58	29	6	65	28	50
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	31.1	29.5	36.1	31.0	29.3	34.8	31.1	43.0	30.2	28.5	26.7	31.9
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	20.2	30.2	21.6	26.3	19.4	22.8	22.2	36.7	21.3	28.3	25.2	33.9
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	42.9	7.7	37.5	45.5	34.4	11.4	24.0	26.2	27.0	31.6	16.3	31.6

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+3.6 pts

#94 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-12.3 pts

#156 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Dana Dimel (co) / Del Miller (co) → Dana Dimel · 2017

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 28.5% → 26.7% (-1.8 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 82% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Dana Dimel → Collin Klein (co) / Andre Coleman · 2018

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 26.7% → 31.9% (+5.2 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 57% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Tom Hayes → Brian Norwood (co) / Blake Seiler · 2018

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Postseason detail1993: Beat Wyoming 52-17 Bowl1994: Lost to Boston College 7-12 Bowl1995: Beat Colorado State 54-21 Bowl1996: Lost to BYU 15-19 Bowl1997: Beat Syracuse 35-18 Bowl1998: Lost to Texas A&M 33-36 Bowl1998: Lost to Purdue 34-37 Bowl1999: Beat Washington 24-20 Bowl2000: Lost to Oklahoma 24-27 Bowl2000: Beat Tennessee 35-21 Bowl2001: Lost to Syracuse 3-26 Bowl2002: Beat Arizona State 34-27 Bowl2003: Lost to Ohio State 28-35 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl2010: Lost to Syracuse 34-36 New Era Pinstripe Bowl2011: Lost to Arkansas 16-29 At&T Cotton Bowl2012: Lost to Oregon 17-35 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl2013: Beat Michigan 31-14 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl2014: Lost to UCLA 35-40 Valero Alamo Bowl2015: Lost to Arkansas 23-45 Autozone Liberty Bowl2016: Beat Texas A&M 33-28 Advocare V100 Texas Bowl2017: Beat UCLA 35-17 Cactus Bowl

56 NFL Draft picks: Maurice Henry (1990), Rogerick Green (1992), Russ Campbell (1992), Thomas Randolph (1994), Andre Coleman (1994), Barrett Brooks (1995), Chad May (1995), Chris Canty (1997) + 48 more

+50.3

215-117-1

2006–2008

Ron Prince Steady

Ron Prince slid Kansas State from Power Program II to Power Program III in 3 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−8.4 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 19% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Tim Beckman’s Illinois run (2012–2014)

2nd-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Snyder (1989–2005) · succeeded by Bill Snyder (2009–2018).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2006	2007	2008
Record & result
Record	7-6	5-7	5-7
Postseason	L bowl	—	—
Recruiting rank	#41	#35	#36
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	52.7	59.2	51.0
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	44	56	46
Defense	55	36	10
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	57.1	59.3	49.6
Red-zone pass%	28.6	41.6	33.0
4th-down go%opp. territory	28.0	18.6	40.7

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Grows Tackle from high school

100%

#198 of 223 stints

Postseason detail2006: Lost to Rutgers 10-37 Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Yamon Figurs (2007), Thomas Clayton (2007), Zach Diles (2007), Jordy Nelson (2008), Rob Jackson (2008), Josh Freeman (2009)

−8.4

17-20

1986–1988

Stan Parrish Steady

Stan Parrish slid Kansas State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 3 seasons.

−5.8 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 32% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Trent Dilfer’s UAB run (2023–2025)

13th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Lee Moon (1985) · succeeded by Bill Snyder (1989–2005).

−5.8

2-30-1

1985

Lee Moon Short tenure

1-8

1978–1985

Jim Dickey Steady

Jim Dickey moved Kansas State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 7 seasons.

+0.8 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 43% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dave Aranda’s Baylor run (2020–now)

9th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Ellis Rainsberger (1975–1977) · succeeded by Lee Moon (1985).

Season	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Record & result
Record	4-7	3-8	3-8	2-9	6-5-1	3-8	3-7-1	0-2
Postseason	—	—	—	—	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1982: Lost to Wisconsin 3-14 Bowl

3 NFL Draft picks: Dan Manucci (1979), Steve Clark (1981), Eugene Goodlow (1982)

+0.8

24-54-2

1975–1977

Ellis Rainsberger Steady

Ellis Rainsberger slid the Wildcats from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 3 seasons.

−2.8 pts over 3 seasons · top 48% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mick Dennehy’s Utah State run (2000–2004)

7th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Vince Gibson (1967–1974) · succeeded by Jim Dickey (1978–1985).

1 NFL Draft pick: Gary Spani (1978)

−2.8

5-28

1967–1974

Vince Gibson Builder

Vince Gibson raised the Wildcats from Regional Program VI to Regional Program III.

+14.1 pts over 8 seasons · top 9% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Urban Meyer’s Florida run (2005–2010)

6th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Doug Weaver (1960–1966) · succeeded by Ellis Rainsberger (1975–1977).

14 NFL Draft picks: Corny Davis (1969), Lynn Larson (1970), Manuel Barrera (1970), Mack Herron (1970), Clarence Scott (1971), Lynn Dickey (1971), Mike Montgomery (1971), Dean Shaternick (1971) + 6 more

+14.1

33-52

1960–1966

Doug Weaver Steady

Doug Weaver slid Kansas State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 7 seasons.

−8.5 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 9% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Neal Brown’s West Virginia run (2019–2024)

12th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Bernard Mertes (1955–1959) · succeeded by Vince Gibson (1967–1974).

−8.5

8-60-1

1955–1959

Bernard Mertes Steady

Bernard Mertes moved the Wildcats from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.

+1.3 pts over 5 seasons · top 28% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Cavan’s SMU run (1997–2001)

8th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Meek (1951–1954) · succeeded by Doug Weaver (1960–1966).

+1.3

15-34-1

1951–1954

Bill Meek Steady

Bill Meek moved the Wildcats from Regional Program VI to Regional Program IV in 4 seasons.

+9.3 pts over 4 seasons · top 6% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: P.J. Fleck’s Western Michigan run (2013–2016)

11th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Ralph Graham (1948–1950) · succeeded by Bernard Mertes (1955–1959).

+9.3

15-22-2

1948–1950

Ralph Graham Steady

Ralph Graham held Kansas State at Regional Program VI for 3 seasons.

−0.2 pts over 3 seasons · top 35% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Gerry DiNardo’s Vanderbilt run (1991–1994)

14th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Sam Francis (1947) · succeeded by Bill Meek (1951–1954).

−0.2

4-26-1

1947

Sam Francis Short tenure

0-10

1940–1941, 1946

Hobbs Adams Steady

Hobbs Adams slid Kansas State from National Program III to Regional Program I in 3 seasons.

−8.8 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 17% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Geoff Collins’s Georgia Tech run (2019–2022)

5th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Wesley Fry (1936–1939) · succeeded by Ward Haylett (1942–1944) · returned in 1946, succeeding Lud Fiser (1945) · succeeded by Sam Francis (1947).

−8.8

4-21-2

1945

Lud Fiser Short tenure

1-7

1942–1944

Ward Haylett Steady

Ward Haylett slid Kansas State from Regional Program II to Regional Program IV in 3 seasons.

−12.8 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 6% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Curley Hallman’s LSU run (1991–1994)

10th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Followed Hobbs Adams (1940–1941) · succeeded by Lud Fiser (1945).

−12.8

6-20-2

1936–1939

Wesley Fry Steady

Wesley Fry held Kansas State at National Program II for 4 seasons.

4th-best Kansas State tenure of 14 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Hobbs Adams (1940–1941).

National Program II

16-17-3