MANHATTAN — Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement after seven seasons as the Wildcats’ football coach on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Klieman, 58, was signed through the 2032 season, but Kansas State is now looking for a new coach. When announcing his departure, Klieman cited his family and personal health as reasons.
He exits with 54 wins, and possibly a 55th if he elects to coach Kansas State in its upcoming bowl game, which is the second-most in school history, only behind the legendary Bill Snyder.
Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor said he has yet to discuss contractual details with Klieman regarding the move, and that those conversations will come over the next few weeks.
Here’s a look at Klieman’s contract details and how much money he’s passing on by retiring.
Chris Klieman contract details
After the 2025 season, Klieman had seven years remaining on his contract that would have kept him tied to K-State through the 2032 season. A buyout after the 2025 season would have been nearly $30 million.
Klieman had $42.25 million remaining on his deal if he was to coach through 2032 with no extension.
According to Kleiman’s contract, he would owe $6 million if he terminated it with five or more years remaining on the deal, though it’s likely to be negotiated in the coming weeks.
Chris Klieman career earnings
Klieman has made a lot of money from a successful coaching career, which included serving as the head coach of FCS powerhouse North Dakota State before succeeding Bill Snyder at Kansas State.
Since becoming Kansas State football’s coach before the 2019 season, he’s seen his annual salary more than double from $2.3 million to $5.25 million.
According to the USA TODAY Coaches Salary Database, Klieman was paid $26,489,250 as the Wildcats’ coach. Information about his time at North Dakota State was not immediately available.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
