Joe Bob Clements, a former walk-on defensive end who became a fan favorite and key piece of some of the most dominant defenses in Kansas State history, is back with the Wildcats.
Clements returns to Manhattan as assistant to the head coach and forward scout for offense under first-year head coach Collin Klein.
During his 16 combined years as a player, staff member and full-time assistant at K-State, the Wildcats won two Big 12 Championships, four Big 12 North Division titles, and recorded nine seasons with 10 or more wins.
“When I think of K-State football, I think of family,” Clements said. “I’ve always stayed in touch with a bunch of my teammates. It’ll be nice to get back around them.”
Clements played at K-State from 1994 to 1998 on defenses that ranked No. 1, No. 16, No. 4 and No. 3 nationally. He earned All-Big 12 honors as a senior and was part of five bowl teams.
He served as a student assistant, graduate assistant and defensive ends coach during his earlier stints in Manhattan before spending 12 seasons at Oklahoma State from 2013 to 2024.
Clements joined the K-State staff after interviewing for a position with the Cleveland Browns at the NFL Combine.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” he said. “I just think this is where I’m meant to be.”
The opportunity came together when Klein reached out about an analyst role on the offensive side.
“It was a very easy answer: Absolutely,” Clements said.
Now back in the Little Apple, Clements is adjusting to a new perspective after spending his entire career on defense.
“I’m in the learning phase of figuring out offensive football from their perspective,” he said. “It’s fun to learn something new.”
He noted that while the landscape of college football and Vanier Stadium have changed dramatically since his last stop in Manhattan, the people have not.
“It’s very comfortable,” Clements said. “There’s a lot of newness, but the people are the same.”
