Why Chris Klieman is letting a K-State assistant audition for offensive coordinator

Chris Klieman’s search for a new offensive coordinator will start with a familiar face.

Conor Riley, a veteran offensive line coach with 21 years of experience, will serve as the interim play-caller for Kansas State when the Wildcats take on North Carolina State in Orlando at the Pop-Tarts Bowl later this month.

For now, Riley’s promotion is only temporary. But if he impresses Klieman over the next few weeks and K-State has a strong showing this postseason he could take over the offense on a full-time basis next season.

When asked if Riley is currently auditioning for the gig, Klieman responded with one word: “absolutely.”

“Conor has been around me the longest, dating back to our days as assistants together,” Klieman said. “And I feel it’s his opportunity to be out in front of the guys, because he’s out in front of the guys anyway, from an offensive line, run-game standpoint. I’m excited for him to get out in front of the group as a leader for this two weeks.”

It is rare for an offensive line coach to make the jump to coordinator, but there are several reasons to believe that Riley could handle more responsibility.

For starters, he is an excellent position coach. He helped mold Cooper Beebe into the first offensive lineman in K-State history to earn consensus All-America honors. Behind players like him and Kaitori Leveston and Hayden Gillum, the front-five is almost always a strength of the K-State offense.

“I’m so excited for him,” Beebe said. “He’s such a great coach. Obviously, he’s been my coach this whole time, and I think he’s one of the best coaches we have on staff, honestly. I think that is one of the reasons why the whole offensive line decided to play in the bowl game. We felt it would be right for the offensive line to be at full strength when Coach Riley takes over. He’s super knowledgeable.”

Riley also coached offensive line at North Dakota State before he followed Klieman to K-State five years ago.

During that time, he has made a good impression on the locker room.

Even K-State players who haven’t lined up at offensive line are eager to see why type of game plan he comes up with against the Wolfpack.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach Riley,” K-State receiver Keagan Johnson said. “I think he is a great leader and a great man. He doesn’t have much experience at the OC spot but he has a lot of experience with big-time college football, especially in the running game. The biggest thing for me is he will take our feedback as receivers. I really think he is going to step up and do good in that position. As players we are confident that he can get the job done. We are going to follow his lead.”

Riley will have a tough act to follow.

The position of K-State offensive coordinator is open because the last guy, Collin Klein, did such a good job over the past two seasons that he was lured away by Texas A&M.

But Klein wasn’t thought to be a future guru when he was in the exact same position as Riley two short seasons ago. Remember, Klein also auditioned for the opening before the Texas Bowl. Back then, Klein led the Wildcats to 42 points in a blowout victory over LSU, and Klieman immediately promoted him to offensive coordinator on a full-time basis.

Can Riley do the same thing and make it impossible for Klieman to open up the search to outside candidates?

Only time will tell. But he is getting an opportunity to prove that he is ready to call plays.