From Manhattan to Dublin: Chris Klieman leads Kansas State into Irish battle with Iowa State
Kansas State isn't easing into its 2025 season. Instead, the Wildcats open with a major conference showdown against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.
Head coach Chris Klieman acknowledged both the excitement and the challenge of taking his team overseas. 'We're…going from camp to the game mode as well as just all the logistics of the travel,' he said. 'It's good that our kids aren't in class probably right now, so we can handle all those things as well as continue our preparation.'
The Wildcats will practice twice more in Manhattan before boarding the team plane. They do have a Thursday workout in Dublin scheduled that Klieman admitted could be the most difficult adjustment. 'We arrive at about the same time of going through your daily process and having a really productive Thursday and then trying to get back on schedule. Thursday will be a tough day honestly for both teams.'
The head coach praised his office and training staff for preparing players for the transatlantic flight. 'Everybody in our support staff has done a really good job from nutrition, hydration, sleep, recovery, activation,' he said
There will be moments to soak in the atmosphere. The Wildcats will tour parts of Dublin Thursday evening, share a team dinner, and participate in Friday's pep rally. 'We're going to enjoy the time when we're doing those type things,' Klieman said. 'But then we've got to have a business attitude when we have our practices, our meetings, and our walkthroughs.'
Still, he admitted the scene at Aviva Stadium will feel surreal. 'You're crazy if you don't pinch yourself to say, 'Wow, what a moment that we're in right now.' The band's a huge part of that. Our fan base is a huge part of that. And the amount of people I can't thank…that are already over there, having a blast. That's a credit to K-State Nation.'
For Klieman, once the ball is kicked off, it's simple: 'It's a football game, whether it's at our place, at Jack Trice, or in Aviva Stadium.'
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