Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman is set to take on the same role for Dave Aranda at Baylor next season, Pete Thamel of ESPN first reported on Thursday morning.
Klanderman will replace Matt Powledge, grabbed by the Greater 5’s North Texas earlier in the week.
Klanderman followed newly retired Chris Klieman to Kansas State from North Dakota State, where he coached defensive backs through four FCS titles. Klanderman spent six seasons as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator and safeties coach after being promoted to full-time DC in 2020.
Klanderman’s second Big 12 coaching stop comes on the heels of one of his least-effective units during his time in Manhattan. Conference-wise, Kansas State ranked 10th in yards allowed (386.2) and 11th in points per game (26.7).
But there’s plenty of shine to Klanderman’s resume, and why Baylor wants him.
Klanderman’s 2021 and 2022 (Kansas State’s last conference title) defenses each ranked top 30 nationally with 21.9 or fewer points per game. Those teams included two First Team All-Big 12 draft picks in defensive end Felix Anduike-Uzomah, drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, and cornerback Julius Brent, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts the same year.
Baylor, finishing the year 5-7 (3-6 Big 12) in Aranda’s sixth season as head coach, finished near the bottom of the conference’s defenses. The Bears finished 15th of 16 teams in points per game (32.6) and against the run (197.2 yards per game).
