5 years ago

Meet new Kansas State safeties coach Joe Klanderman, who joins Chris Klieman's first Wildcat coaching staff.

BIO:
A five-year member of Chris Klieman’s staff at North Dakota State, Joe Klanderman was hired in December 2018 as Kansas State’s safeties coach.

Klanderman helped North Dakota State win four national titles in his five seasons on staff, which included a perfect 15-0 record in 2018. The NDSU defense was a major factor in its undefeated run as the Bison ranked first nationally with 23 interceptions, including six by safety Robbie Grimsley and five by safety James Hendricks.

Overall, the Bison ranked in the top five in scoring defense each of his five years on staff, including a No. 2 ranking in 2017 (11.6 points per game) and No. 3 spot in 2018 (12.6). His secondary has also helped NDSU rank in the top 11 in passing yards allowed in four of the five years, with a No. 3 national ranking in 2017 (147.9 yards per game).

Thanks to the nation-leading 23 picks in 2018, the Bison totaled 100 interceptions during Klanderman’s five years on staff, helping NDSU finish third in the country in 2017 and fifth in both 2014 and 2016.

During his time at NDSU, Klanderman has coached a trio of All-America safeties in Grimsley, Colten Heagle and Tre Dempsey, in addition to multiple all-conference performers. Heagle finished his career ranked first in Bison history with 191 solo tackles, while Grimsley was second with 159.

Klanderman went to North Dakota State after a 12-year coaching stint at his alma mater, Minnesota State. While in Mankato, Klanderman served as the defensive line coach from 2002 to 2004 before moving to the secondary in 2005. He then took over the reins as defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2013 while coaching the linebackers.

During his time at Minnesota State, Klanderman helped tutor 26 first team all-conference honorees and 10 All-Americans. He helped five Maverick squads earn at least nine wins, including the 2012 and 2013 seasons in which MSU went a combined 24-2.

Klanderman was a three-year starter on the defensive line for the Mavericks from 1997 to 2001, serving as a starter for three of those seasons. A product of Hammond, Wisconsin, Klanderman was named an Academic All-Region honoree following his senior season in 2001.

A 2001 graduate from Minnesota State with a degree in social studies, Klanderman also obtained his master’s degree in sports administration from MSU in 2004.

Klanderman and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of four children, Elle, Corryn, Jarrett and James.

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