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The Topeka Capital Journal
Kansas State football players back Chris Klieman after emotional presser
- Story byThe Topeka Capital Journal
- Kansas State football players back Chris Klieman after emotional presser
MANHATTAN — Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman said he doesn't regret his emotional postgame press conference following the Wildcats' 51-47 loss at No. 12 Utah this past weekend, when he was asked about it at his weekly media availability on Monday, Nov. 24.
Klieman broke down during a three-minute opening statement , calling out those calling for new leadership and new players. The seventh-year coach said he was "tired of it" and believed he deserved more respect.
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What Klieman was specifically talking about was unclear, though a vocal portion of the fanbase has expressed displeasure with the Wildcats' season, given that they were picked by many to compete for a Big 12 title.
"I care for the kids, and I'm not going to apologize," Klieman said Monday. "I care for our guys, and I'm gonna always have their back."
Klieman's breakdown was well-circulated after it was picked up by USA TODAY, ESPN, and The Athletic. After his opening statement, Klieman sat back to collect himself and was hugged by K-State athletic director Gene Taylor, who told the coach that he wasn't going anywhere and that the school had his back.
Klieman's players also have his back. His words were hard to avoid, and the Wildcats expressed their love for their head coach during their availability on Monday after seeing the video.
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"That's just the guy that Coach Klieman is," K-State captain Damian Ilalio said. "Some people call him emotional, and some people have theories on who he is as a person, but I'll be the first to tell you that he just dedicates everything he is into this game and this team. He's always working; he never gets a break, and then when he does get a break, there are times he's still out there raising money for us.
"Coach Klieman cares so much for everybody on this team, whether you're a janitor, a starter, a freshman or a nutritionist; everybody is important to him. He's very passionate and loves this football team. I already knew all this stuff. He's an amazing guy, an amazing person and I expect nothing less."
K-State running back Joe Jackson, who broke Darren Sproles ' single-game school record by rushing for 293 yards against Utah, echoed the same sentiment.
"Man, Coach Klieman, I love him to death," Jackson said. "He gives us everything he has, and like he said, he deserves a lot more respect. He puts his heart and soul into us every single day and just shows how much he cares for us. Even though this season hasn't gone how we wanted, he continues to show up every single day with his best. That's why you see some emotion; he just cares so much."
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Klieman began his presser on Monday, repeating that the Wildcats' loss to Utah was among the best efforts that he's been a part of.
The Wildcats gained 574 yards of offense against the Utes, with a program-record 472 coming on the ground. Utah erased a 12-point deficit in the final seven minutes, with Devon Dampier running in a one-yard touchdown with 56 seconds left for the game-winner.
The emotion of a close loss to one of the nation's best teams, combined with the season's disappointment and the noise around the program, led Klieman to break down.
Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman waits for players during the second half of the game against UCF Knights at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025.
Offensive lineman Andrew Leingang is off social media, but he didn't need to see the press conference to put his support behind his coach.
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"I'd die and kill for that guy," Leingang said. "I think he has our locker room in great shape. I think if you asked any of these guys around here that have been around Coach Klieman, I think they'd always answer the same way. I'm so blessed to have him as a part of my life."
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_ , contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football players defend Chris Klieman after presser
