Chris Klieman will reportedly hire new K-State linebackers coach from ACC team
Chris Klieman has reportedly found Kansas State’s new linebackers coach.
The Wildcats have zeroed in on Steve Stanard as the final member of their coaching staff, according to a report from Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.
Stanard spent the past three seasons coaching linebackers with the Syracuse Orange, where he helped them win 19 games. The team’s best season during that season occurred in 2018 when the Orange went 10-3 and defeated West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl.
A veteran coach with more than 30 years of experience, including 20 seasons as a defensive coordinator, Stanard has experience with Klieman. Stanard coached linebackers alongside him for two seasons starting in 2012 at North Dakota State before leaving to become the defensive coordinator at Wyoming.
Klieman was the team’s defensive coordinator at the time, and the Bison won FCS championships in both 2012 and 2013. Klieman was then elevated to head coach, while Stanard followed Craig Bohl to Wyoming.
Stanard has also served as a defensive coordinator at Nebraska Wesleyan, South Dakota, New Mexico State, Colorado State and Tulane.
He coached defensive ends and linebackers during his time at Syracuse. He also spent time as the team’s interim defensive coordinator for three games at the conclusion of last season.
Stanard is set to replace Scottie Hazelton on K-State’s coaching staff.
Hazelton left the Wildcats for Michigan State after one successful year in Manhattan as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Klieman recently promoted safeties coach Joe Klanderman into the role of defensive coordinator while also elevating cornerbacks coach Van Malone to assistant head coach and passing game coordinator.