Chris Klieman one win away from contract extension with Kansas State
The Kansas State Wildcats are in the midst of a strong fourth season under head coach Chris Klieman. If the Wildcats continue their winning ways, the team will not only benefit but Klieman himself will too. With two remaining games on the schedule, Kansas State just needs to win one game in the rest of the regular season to add an extra year to Klieman’s contract, according to the Kansas City Star.
Currently, Klieman’s deal runs through the end of December 2026, per the Star. However, the report states that Klieman gets another year on his deal every time he takes the Wildcats to eight or more regular season wins and the season ends in a bowl game. Klieman’s salary on that contract would end up being $4.3 million, per the report, as he makes a current salary of $3.5 million. In addition to that, Klieman has a retention bonus of $250,000 if he is the coach at Kansas State on March 1, 2023.
Kansas State’s 2022 season has no doubt been the strongest of the four-year Klieman era. A surprise upset loss to Tulane at home in September looked to be the start of a struggling season. Instead, the Wildcats responded with four wins in their next five games, with the one loss coming on the road against an unbeaten TCU team. Kansas State has won two of its last three by a combined margin of 76 points. The second Big 12 loss came against Texas.
TCU has locked up a spot in the Big 12 Championship game, leaving the second one up for grab. For Klieman’s Wildcats, they control their own destiny. Sitting at 5-2 in Big 12 play, Kansas State has a final road test this weekend against West Virginia and then will close out the season against Kansas at home. If the Wildcats win both of those games, they will lock up the second spot in the championship game.
Even more money possible for Klieman
If the Wildcats are able to make it into the Big 12 title game, Klieman’s wallet will get even thicker. Klieman will get $100,000 if he leads his team to a conference title, per the Star. Klieman gets $75,000 for a second place finish, sole or tied, and a $50,000 bonus for a third place finish, sole or tied, per the Star.
Most bowl projections currently have Kansas State on track to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game, most consistently the Sugar Bowl. If Klieman takes his team to a New Year’s Six game, he gets an additional $100,000 bonus.