K-State football finalizes new contracts for Collin Klein and other assistant coaches
The biggest Kansas State football story of the offseason revolved around offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
He was a hot commodity on the coaching market in February after he helped the Wildcats average 418.8 yards and 32.3 points per game during his first season as a play-caller under Chris Klieman.
Prestigious schools like Alabama and Texas A&M quietly expressed interest in him when they were looking for new offensive coordinators, and then he publicly interviewed for the same job at Notre Dame. Klein could have significantly boosted his salary of $600,000 had he left for any of those schools, but he chose to remain with the Wildcats because “I felt like after going through the process that the Lord really put it on my heart that there was still work to do here.”
A new contract and a raise from K-State also likely made it easier for him to continue coaching at his alma mater.
The Wildcats rewarded Klein with a hefty raise that will bring his salary up to $825,000 for each of the next two seasons, according to a copy of his contract which was signed by Klein and K-State athletic director Gene Taylor earlier this week.
His new deal also features the potential for performance-based bonuses, which could increase his yearly salary from an extra 5% for helping K-State win six games and reach a bowl up to a 32% increase if K-State wins a national championship.
There is no significant buyout attached to his new contract. If Klein chooses to leave K-State for a different job he would owe the Wildcats the equivalent of two months salary. But that amount would double if he left for a Big 12 school.
The Wildcats also rewarded defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman with a new two-year deal that will pay him $825,000 over the next two seasons.
That is believed to be the highest salary that K-State has ever paid its coordinators.
K-State is coming off a 10-win season that ended with a Big 12 championship and a trip to the Sugar Bowl. The Wildcats negotiated new contracts for all of Klieman’s assistant coaches afterward.
A new contract is also in the works for Klieman. Taylor has said he expects that to be finalized “shortly.”
The next highest paid coach on the K-State staff is offensive line coach Conor Riley. He is now earning $600,000 per year. He has also been given an extra title as run-game coordinator.
Cornerbacks coach Van Malone is next at $410,000, followed by running backs coach Brian Anderson and linebackers coach Steve Stanard, who are both at $400,000. Defensive ends coach Buddy Wyatt is now making $375,000. Defensive tackles coach Mike Tuiasosopo and new receivers coach Matthew Middleton are at $325,000. Tight ends coach Brian Lepak is now making $283,000.
Add up all those raises and the Wildcats will end up spending $4.77 million on their assistant coaches next season, a number which is up nearly $1 million from last year.
Kansas State football assistant salaries
Collin Klein (offensive coordinator): $825,000
Joe Klanderman (defensive coordinator): $825,000
Conor Riley (offensive line): $600,000
Van Malone (cornerbacks): $410,000
Steve Stanard (linebackers): $400,000
Brian Anderson (running backs): $400,000
Buddy Wyatt (defensive ends): $375,000
Mike Tuiasosopo (defensive tackles): $325,000
Matthew Middleton (wide receivers): $325,000
Brian Lepak (tight ends): $283,000
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 11:49 AM.