What follows is a list of coaches we believe worthy of discussion as it relates to Kansas State's vacant head coaching position. The coaches are listed alphabetically.
This is a list that could update and change on a daily basis, and we'll always give you notification when a change is made.
NOTE (Added 12/5/18): With all due respect to Eric Wolford, he's not a candidate for this position and will not be added to this list. Wolford, the current offensive line coach at South Carolina, was fired from his only career head coaching experience at FCS program Youngstown State. He was 18-22 in Missouri Valley Conference play before being relieved of his duties. Wolford would not be considered a candidate for a head coaching position by any FBS school with his resume and likely not by an FCS school, either. Wolford is a good football coach and could help a program as an offensive line coach, as he's doing successfully at South Carolina.
MAJOR APPLEWHITE
Who? Major Applewhite
Current Position: Head Coach - Houston
This Year: 8-4
Why? This is a name your remember, right? K-State fans know Major Applewhite as the unfortunate Texas quarterback beat up by elite K-State defenses in 1998 and 1999, but he's much more than that. For one, he was a great quarterback for the Longhorns when he wasn't playing the Wildcats. Second, he's doing a solid job at Houston. Yes, Tom Herman left behind plenty of talent, but Applewhite has things rolling in his second year running the program. He's a guy that checks a lot of boxes: Young, successful head coach, Big 12/Texas ties, etc. There's a lot to like.
Why Not: As mentioned above, Applewhite did take over a Houston program in great, great shape, and his first season (7-5) wasn't really in line what what had been produced before him. There are no ties to K-State in particular, and he certainly feels like somebody 100 percent rooted in the state of Texas. That doesn't mean he can't or won't be a candidate, but how interested would the two parties be in each other?
The Latest (12/5): Let's be blunt here, there's not a name on this list right now outside of Seth Littrell, Chris Klieman or Brent Venables who we believe has discussed this job with K-State or has any real, meaningful shot right now to be K-State's next coach. A name like Applewhite's is left on due to the idea he could be somebody the search gets to if things change.
