What’s next for the K-State offense as Chris Klieman searches for a new coordinator?

The last time Chris Klieman searched for a new offensive coordinator, time was on his side.

When Klieman decided to part ways with Courtney Messingham at the end of the 2021 football season he could afford to take a methodical approach as he evaluated candidates, partly because he had a strong one already on his coaching staff in Collin Klein.

Back then, Klieman named Klein as the team’s interim offensive coordinator and then allowed him to audition for the full-time position as the Wildcats prepared for LSU in the Texas Bowl. Klein responded by guiding K-State to a 42-20 victory in Houston that sent tears of joy streaming down his face. There really wasn’t much of a choice for Klieman to make at that point. The job belonged to Klein.

Two years later, Klein has become such a successful play-caller for K-State that he is now on the move to Texas A&M. The Aggies are expected to make him one of the highest-paid coordinators in the country.

Things are also different for the Wildcats. Time is no longer on Klieman’s side as he works to bring in a new offensive coordinator.

He may need to move faster during this hiring cycle.

College football transfers are more popular than ever at the moment, and K-State could use a quick hire in order to stabilize its roster. A postseason game looms against North Carolina State at the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando, but the Wildcats have already lost a dozen players to the portal.

It’s too early to say how many additional departures will happen in the wake of Klein’s exit, but K-State would prefer to keep the number low. Players are free to enter the portal until the current transfer window closes on Jan. 2.

It is also unclear who Klieman will consider for the opening.

But one name to keep an eye on is Matt Wells. The former head coach at Texas Tech and Utah State has a strong offensive background, and he is good friends with Klieman.

If Klieman looks to promote from within again, he could consider offensive line coach Conor Riley or tight ends coach Brian Lepak.

Riley is considered to be one of the nation’s best best offensive line coaches. Lepak has a bright football mind and spent this season as Klein’s right-hand man while he called plays from the press box. Neither of those options are particularly exciting for casual fans, but they would give the Wildcats an opportunity to make a smooth transition into the future.

Odds are good that Klieman will want to stick with an up-tempo style. Even though he preferred a slower, run-based scheme before Klein, it wouldn’t make sense to go back to that with the current roster.

Winning over Avery Johnson will be the top priority for the next coordinator. K-State badly wants to keep him and allow him to mature into a multi-year starter. His dual-threat talents give him enormous upside, and the next play-caller will need to have a plan for getting the most out of him as both a runner and a passer.

The future appeared bright with Klein and several key pieces returning on offense. Now, Klieman will need to move quickly to maintain that trajectory with a new offensive coordinator.