Kansas State University

Chris Klieman targets South Florida’s Matthew Middleton as new Kansas State WR coach

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman looks to the scoreboard during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman looks to the scoreboard during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann) AP

Chris Klieman is about to add a new assistant to his coaching staff at Kansas State.

The Wildcats have targeted Matthew Middleton as their new wide receivers coach, according to a source with knowledge of the hire. Middleton comes to K-State after spending the past few months tutoring receivers at South Florida. Before that, he spent multiple seasons at Kent State and South Dakota. He also worked at Kansas for one year as a graduate assistant.

K-State is expected to formally announce Middleton’s hire later this week. Football Scoop first reported the news.

Klieman cast a wide net as he searched for a new coach to replace Thad Ward, who recently left K-State for Illinois. The process ended with Klieman zeroing in on Middleton, who has no obvious connection to the Wildcats or their head coach.

Middleton is familiar with Manhattan, though. He grew up in nearby Kansas City and attended college at Ottawa University within the Sunflower State.

K-State once again has a complete coaching staff heading into spring football.

The Wildcats nearly lost offensive coordinator Collin Klein to Notre Dame last week, but he opted to remain with K-State after interviewing with the Fighting Irish.

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Kellis Robinett
The Wichita Eagle
Kellis Robinett covers Kansas State athletics for The Wichita Eagle and The Kansas City Star. A winner of more than a dozen national writing awards, he lives in Manhattan with his wife and four children.
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