Kansas State's Klieman not interested in Michigan State coaching job

Kansas State sideline boss Chris Klieman has no interest in pursuing Michigan State's head coaching position.

"I'll be sticking in Manhattan (Kansas) and will not be a candidate for that job," Klieman said Wednesday, according to Cameron Salerno of CBS Sports.

Michigan State's coaching job became vacant Wednesday after the Spartans officially fired Mel Tucker for cause amid an ongoing university sexual harassment investigation.

Klieman has been linked as a potential candidate for Michigan State for weeks. The 56-year-old has posted a 33-21 record across four-plus seasons at Kansas State. The Wildcats went 10-4 in 2022 and won their first Big 12 title since 2012.

Klieman, who joined Kansas State in December 2018 after five solid seasons as head coach at North Dakota State, signed an extension through 2030 with the Wildcats in May.

Other candidates that could generate interest from Michigan State are Duke head coach Mike Elko, Oregon State sideline boss Jonathan Smith, Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, and Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, Salerno notes. Toledo head coach Jason Candle is also expected to get some consideration for the job, sources told Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.