Chris Klieman got emotional defending himself and Kansas State after Utah loss

The longer Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman tried to process a gut-wrenching 51-47 loss against Utah on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the more emotional he got.

A victory would have clinched bowl eligibility for the Wildcats and given Klieman a signature win to crow about all weekend. Instead, his team suffered its latest painful loss in a season that has been defined by disappointing results.

When he sat down at a table outside the visiting locker room and prepared to make his opening statement, he decided to share his unfiltered feelings on many different topics that have hung over this group all year. He spoke for three minutes, pausing at times to collect himself and even shed a few tears.

“I am heartbroken for the kids and for the loss,” Klieman said. “It’s one of the greatest efforts I’ve been a part of as a coach. It’s hard to say this, because we lost the game, but we’re down so many players. I know a lot of people thought we’d come over here and lay down, and that maybe the kids have cashed it in.”

Then anger took over.

“I’ve heard it enough,” Klieman said. “I’ve heard that I’ve cashed it in. I’ve heard the players have cashed it in and we need to get new leadership here. We need to get new players, new coaches. I’m tired of it. I have got to be honest with you, I’m tired of it. I have given my frigging ass life for this place for seven years. I have given everything for seven years. I think I deserve a little bit of respect.”

It was surprising to hear Klieman acknowledge the fan complaints that have been made about him on message boards and social media this season.

But his popularity is beginning to dip in Manhattan. So much so that unfounded rumors have spread that he may consider retirement at the end of this season.

Klieman led the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl during a dream 2022 season. But since then, K-State hasn’t been able to keep pace with the top of the conference. The Wildcats followed that campaign with consecutive nine-win seasons.

K-State was expected to contend for a Big 12 title again with a No. 17 preseason ranking this year. Now the Wildcats are 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. They need to beat Colorado next week to achieve bowl eligibility for the sixth time in Klieman’s seven seasons.

“I’m frustrated like everybody else is,” Klieman said. “But I love those kids. I will go to frigging battle with those kids any day.”

He was particularly proud of the way K-State rushed the ball against No. 13 Utah (9-2, 6-2 Big 12).

The Wildcats rushed for a school record 472 yards. Joe Jackson led the way with his own school record of 293 yards and three touchdowns behind a physical offensive line that opened holes for him all afternoon.

No one else has come close to putting up those numbers against a stingy Utah defense.

K-State played well enough to lead 31-21 at halftime and then 47-35 with 7 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Utah mounted a comeback in the final minutes.

“That’s a top (15) team in the country with one of the best offenses in the country and one of the best defenses in the country,” Klieman said. “We rushed for 472 yards on them, because we told the guys we were going to commit to running the football. We told the guys to buy into it, believe in it. We are running the football against these guys, because nobody’s trying like we’re going to try it.

“And the kids bought into it. Kids don’t buy into it if they’ve given in. Kids don’t buy into it if they’re halfway out the door. Our kids bought into it, and we stuffed it down their throat the entire game running the football, and we lost.

“I’m crushed because of that, but I’m going to stand up here with frigging pride and say we’ve battled our ass off against a really good team. I’m crushed we lost the football game, but I’m more upset with …”

Klieman was unable to finish his train of thought.

After a long stretch of silence in which he fought back tears, K-State athletic director Gene Taylor walked to the table and gave Klieman a hug.

“You ain’t going anywhere, brother,” Taylor told Klieman. “Understand that. I believe in you. We’ve got your back.”

Klieman was later asked if there was a specific reason why he reacted so emotionally after this loss.

“You guys know,” he said. “You guys all know.”

It will be interesting to see how K-State fans react to Klieman’s statement. They did not respond favorably last week when the Wildcats struggled during a 14-6 win over Oklahoma State and Klieman said he wasn’t going to apologize for the victory because “it’s dang hard to win” at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Some were quick to point out that Oklahoma State hasn’t won a conference game in more than two calendar years.

But K-State quarterback Avery Johnson said he likes playing for Klieman.

“You want to be able to win a bunch of games, just because of how good of a person Coach Klieman is,” Johnson said, “and how creative a leader and a coach he is. … We love Coach Klieman to death and we laid out on the line for him tonight. It’s just tough coming up short.”

Source: Utah News