Kansas State Promotes Safeties Coach Joe Klanderman to Defensive Coordinator
After losing Scottie Hazelton to the Michigan State Spartans last week, Kansas State is promoting safeties coach Joe Klanderman to defensive coordinator.
Klanderman has spent the past six seasons on staff for Wildcats coach Chris Klieman, with the first five at North Dakota State before joining Kansas State last year following Bill Snyder’s retirement.
Klanderman will continue to work with Kansas State’s safeties, but now is also in charge of keeping a Kansas State defense on track. Kansas State finished second in the Big 12 in pass defense, its highest conference ranking in five seasons. The Wildcats also ranked second in the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense, just behind the Baylor Bears.
Klanderman has been a staple across the upper Midwest, as he spent seven seasons as Minnesota State’s defensive coordinator before hoppign on board with Klieman at North Dakota State in 2014.
As part of the restructuring of the Wildcats defensive staff, Kansas State also is promoting cornerbacks coach Van Malone to assistant head coach and passing game coordinator.
Kansas State begins spring practice on Wednesday, March 18th, with the last practice taking place on Friday, April 17th.
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