Temple football assistant expected to join Chris Klieman’s coaching staff at K-State
Chris Klieman’s coaching staff will soon have a full assortment of assistants.
The Kansas State football team is expected to hire Thad Ward as its new wide receivers coach after he completed an in-person interview for the position earlier this week in Manhattan, according to a source with knowledge of the move.
Klieman offered Ward the job late Wednesday night after he discussed potential candidates with K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein. The source said Ward accepted the offer and an official announcement will be made in the coming days.
ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel was first to report the hire.
Ward is a veteran assistant who will bring two decades of coaching experience with him to K-State. He has served as the passing game coordinator and receivers coach for the Temple Owls since 2019. Before that he coached running backs at Illinois and Western Illinois, as well as receivers at Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Gardner-Webb.
He got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Florida A&M in 2002.
Ward played receiver at Coffeyville Community College and then UCF before he got into coaching. He caught 43 passes for 446 yards and one touchdown as a senior with the Knights.
Once his hiring is made official, K-State will have a full coaching staff once again. The Wildcats chose not to retain former fullbacks/tight ends coach Jason Ray and offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham.
Klieman promoted Klein into a permanent play-calling role after he guided K-State to a 42-20 victory over LSU in the Texas Bowl. Klieman chose Brian Lepak to tutor K-State’s fullbacks and tight ends. Ward will join him on the offensive staff coaching receivers.
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 11:10 AM.