Three and out: Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe pursuing Ring of Honor recognition

KLIEMAN AND KANSAS STATE

Recently, Kansas State and head coach Chris Klieman finalized a new eight-year deal worth upwards of $44 million. That obviously equals out to an average yearly salary of $5.5 million. While that is a high amount in the K-State world, it isn’t nationwide.

To be honest, Klieman would command much, much more on the open market. If industry chatter and rumors are to be believed, the Kansas State coach could have received much more compensation had he entertained overtures from other programs in the offseason, such as Nebraska.

However, he did not and was perfectly content with the structure and contract that he signed with the Wildcats.

Additionally, K-State made some concessions as well and not just Klieman. His buyout figures are not nearly as expensive as the school’s, and it diminishes much more if athletic director Gene Taylor and/or president Richard Linton are no longer at Kansas State.

I participated in a discussion with a Group of Five assistant coach not long ago. That coach marveled at how good Klieman was at his job and the results that he has produced throughout his entire career at this point.

But more than anything, his most effusive praise was directed towards Klieman acknowledging who he was and where he’d be the most comfortable. Many hop from job to job and attempt to ascend up the proverbial ladder in the coaching hierarchy.

Klieman hasn’t, and he was willing to settle for less money to remain at a school that fits his personality perfectly and where he has already built a firm foundation for even more success in the future. The same coach also commended K-State for the same, noting that they know who they are as a school and what works.

Gene Taylor and Brett Yormark/Kansas State Athletics

AN IMPORTANT MONTH IN REALIGNMENT

Not only has it been crunch time for the Kansas State athletics director, the same can be said for athletic directors across the country and especially conference commissioners. Much has been bantered about the ACC in recent weeks, but all eyes will be on the Pac-12 for the next month.

Expansion will likely have to accompany any television contract that George Kliavkoff signs for the Pac-12, and the unquestioned top remaining piece on the board is San Diego State. However, their exit fee from the Mountain West increases exponentially if they do not have a new home by July 1.

That is likely the deadline for the Pac-12. Will they have a respectable deal on the table that establishes enough television revenue for each member? If they do, expect them to put it in ink and add at least San Diego State to the league.

If not, that could be when the dominoes really fall, and as always, Brett Yormark and the Big 12 are watching and waiting to pounce.

K-STATE RING OF HONOR

Perhaps seeing K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein be inducted into the Ring of Honor last year lit a fire under offensive lineman Cooper Beebe. Actually, I doubt it. He’s a pretty self-motivated player that was already one of the best in the country at his spot.

But it at least brought up a potential goal that he now holds dear to him. In a conversation with KSO and others in Salina on the Kansas State Catbacker Tour, the potential 2024 NFL Draft first round pick admitted that he wants to push to be considered for the same honor his coach received last season.

Not that I should deter him from becoming even better or working even harder towards a new mission, but I’m not so sure he’s already squarely in contention for it. Beebe was an All-American last year (even if not consensus) and is a two-time All-Big 12 first team pick at two different positions.

He may already have cemented his name into the K-State Ring of Honor at some point, but even if not, it won’t take many more accolades and decorations to do so.

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