Hard to imagine North Dakota State head football coach Chris Klieman would ever want to leave Fargo.
I mean there are seven McDonald’s and 11 Subways. And a Space Aliens.
Oh, and I suppose we can’t forget about the highly successful FCS football team he coaches.
Last week, Klieman signed a contract extension with the Bison, agreeing to a six-year deal to stay at the helm of Bison football through the 2021 season. The 48-year-old will make $300,000 next season. You can add in another $90,000 for personal and media appearance fees, too.
And if the green and gold juke and jive through the playoffs and win a six-straight national championship, Klieman could earn nearly a half of a million dollars.
Yes, that isn’t chump change, but greener pastures are out there — that is, an FBS school with a much larger budget.
NDSU perhaps has another Craig Bohl situation on its hands: Head coach wins a lot of regular season games, manages to successfully get through the playoffs and wins a few championships in a row.
Remember: Bohl received a big contract right before he left for Wyoming. NDSU perhaps saw his departure as inevitable and wanted the FBS school that snagged him to dish out a big buyout.
NDSU received $100,000 when Bohl left for Laramie.
Klieman’s potential buyout would fetch $320,000 if a school came knocking before January 2017.
Bison fans don’t have to be reminded about how Bohl left. Why would Klieman be any different? Klieman is worthy of FBS-money and has reached the summit of FCS play, twice.
After the spring game, Klieman walked into Saturday’s postgame press conference and sat down in front of the cameras and reporters, flashing his 2015 National Championship ring.
And geez did it sparkle.
“I am very blessed to have the best job in FCS football,” Klieman said after he agreed to the contract extension. “NDSU has tremendous student-athletes who are receiving an outstanding education and foundation for excellence which are showcased and supported by an unbelievable fan base and institution.”
NDSU athletics have put the state school (and state) on the national map.
Not just by the football program but the men’s basketball program, track and field program and the softball program as well as others.
But with success comes recognition.
The Bison are chasing a sixth-straight national championship, and if that six-pack becomes reality, Klieman has no reason to not take his talents to the FBS level.