Because Bill Snyder has made a significant mark on the Kansas State football program and the university, this season will feel especially different as the new head coach, Chris Kleiman, has a new coaching style for the rookies as well as the returning players.
Ryan Lackey, communications director for K-State football, said he is “very excited about the coaching hire, and very excited to see the changes during the 2019 season.”
Klieman is not your typical coach who stands in the middle of the field directing his assistants. To find the new face of the football program during practices, you usually have to dig deep into the field as he is a big proponent of being hands-on during each and every session.
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As a defensive back at Northern Iowa during his own football career, Klieman’s passion and heart for the game are still just as young as his players.
“I still enjoy it,” Klieman said to Kellis Robinett during an interview upon hire earlier this year.
Kleiman added four new assistants to his upcoming football program and the team is thrilled to see where the 2019 season takes them.
“We have a ton of potential for this season, and I think Coach Kleiman was just the cherry on top of the cake for our talented group of young men,” recruiting director Tayler Braet said. ”The recruiting class joining us this summer for workouts is a force to be reckoned with.”
As important as it is to have Coach Kleiman to make an impression on fans and his assistants, it’s also expected to get approval from the ones who are being coached.
Junior defensive end Bronson Massie is one of the leading defensive players for K-State, as Massie said his sophomore season was his most successful thus far. In 2017, he played in nine games including a start in the last regular season game against Iowa State. He had a total of 10 tackles on the year and a career-high with six stops at Texas Tech, while he had two against the Cyclones.
“I’m looking forward to the 2019 season with Coach Kleiman,” Massie said. “He cares about his players and wants to please the fans by getting new gear that catches the eye on and off the field.”
Massie said it’s going to be a good season, and he’s looking forward to having Coach Kleiman as the head coach as he strives to compete at the professional level.
“The recruiting class that the coaching staff has selected for the upcoming season in 2019 has come a long way since Coach Kleiman entered the program,” Massie said.
