Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman finalizes staff with new tight ends coach

Posted by author February 17, 2025 Football

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Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman has filled the final vacancy on his 2025 coaching staff.

Klieman announced Monday that Luke Wells, a coaching veteran of more than 20 years and former offensive assistant at three other Big 12 programs, will coach the Wildcats’ tight ends. He replaces Brian Lepak, who last week switched over to the offensive line.

“Luke brings an extensive amount of coaching experience and recruiting energy to our tight end room, which of course has been a big piece to our recent offensive success,” Klieman said. “I have known Luke for quite a while and even visited with him during previous position openings, and we are thrilled to have him and his family in our program.”

Wells, a 2002 graduate of Oklahoma, played quarterback and later coached for the Sooners. His most recent college job was as tight ends coach at Tulsa in 2022, and he has spent time coaching receivers and tight ends at Iowa State and Texas Tech during his career.

“I am grateful for the opportunity from Coach Klieman to help this staff and be a part of the winning culture at K-State,” Wells said. “I can’t wait to get to work with our talented group of tight ends.”

Wells coached under his brother Matt, currently K-State’s offensive coordinator, when Matt Wells was head coach at Utah State and Texas Tech.

The addition of Luke Wells completes the staff changes precipitated by offensive coordinator Conor Riley’s departure to become the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line coach. The first move was to promote Matt Wells from quarterbacks coach to coordinator, followed by Lepak taking over Riley’s offensive line duties.

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.