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Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman signed an eight-year, $44 million contract extension that ties him to the Wildcats through the 2030 season, athletic director Gene Taylor announced on Monday.

Klieman, who owns a 30-20 record in four seasons in Manhattan, Kan., after replacing Bill Snyder, will make an average of $5.5 million per year. His previous contract was due to end after the 2026 season; he will receive an average pay raise of almost $1.5 million per year.

Taylor said in a statement, “Chris has done an unbelievable job building a program in four years that not only has won a Big 12 Championship, but even more importantly, one that players have taken great pride in and helped sustain a championship culture.

“He is a tremendous fit for K-State and Manhattan, and we want to continue to ride the momentum that he and his staff have fostered. We are excited that Chris will be the leader of our football program for many years to come.”

Last year, Klieman guided the Wildcats to their first Big 12 title since 2012. Kansas State ended the year 10-4, as it earned an overtime win over TCU in the Big 12 championship game before losing to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

The Wildcats have produced a minimum of eight victories in every full season under Klieman (they were 4-6 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign). They wound up ranked No. 14 after their 45-20 Sugar Bowl setback against the Crimson Tide.

Klieman possesses the best record of any coach in Kansas State history through his initial four seasons.

Klieman said in a statement, in part, “What we have been able to accomplish in our first four years here is due to the culture that our players and staff have been able to create. I am excited to continue to lead this football program and put a product on the field each year that can compete at the highest level.”

Klieman, 55, joined Kansas State following a five-year run as head coach of North Dakota State, where he led the Bisons to four FCS national championships and a 69-6 mark.

–Field Level Media