Klanderman to leave Kansas State football for another Big 12 DC job

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MANHATTAN — Collin Klein’s staff as Kansas State football coach will apparently include a new defensive coordinator.

Baylor is set to hire Joe Klanderman, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, to the same position. He’s spent the last seven years at K-State under Chris Klieman, including the last six as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator.

Klanderman’s departure is among the first big dominoes to fall, as Klein begins putting together his coaching staff since being hired as K-State’s coach on Dec. 4. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman also reported running backs coach Brian Anderson is not expected to be retained.

Klein worked with much of Chris Klieman’s staff when Klein was an assistant coach for the Wildcats from 2017-23, including the first five years of the now-retired coach’s stay in Manhattan. If it wasn’t clear before, it’s now apparent that Kansas State‘s coach is headed for an overhaul under the Wildcats’ legendary quarterback.

Klanderman had success as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator, including leading K-State to a 2022 Big 12 championship and developing multiple NFL draft picks. The Wildcats’ defense took a step back in 2025, allowing 26.5 points and 386.2 yards per game, but made up for it by ranking fourth in the nation in takeaways.

Klanderman was signed through the 2026 season with a $900,000 annual salary.

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: Klanderman leaving K-State to become Baylor defensive coordinator

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