Biography
Chris Klieman, born on September 27, 1967, is a former American football player and coach. He played as a defensive back at the collegiate level for the University of Northern Colorado before embarking on a professional football career. His playing tenure in the National Football League (NFL) included stints with the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, where he contributed to the evolving defensive strategies of the league during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
After his playing career, Klieman transitioned to coaching, where he gained prominence as the head coach at North Dakota State University (NDSU) from 2014 to 2018. Under his leadership, NDSU won multiple NCAA FCS championships, highlighting his ability to cultivate talent and implement successful game plans. His coaching style emphasized discipline, teamwork, and a strong defensive foundation, earning him recognition as one of the top coaches in college football.
Klieman's legacy in football is marked by his dual impact as both a player and a coach. His success at NDSU not only solidified the program’s reputation but also set the stage for his subsequent appointment as the head coach at Kansas State University in 2019. His contributions to the sport continue to resonate, influencing a new generation of athletes and coaches in the professional and collegiate ranks.