Hold onto your helmets, college football fans, because Kansas State is making a bold move that’s sure to shake up the Big 12. According to ESPN sources, the Wildcats are set to hire Sean Gleeson, Missouri’s quarterbacks coach, as their new offensive coordinator. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Gleeson isn’t just any coach—he’s a seasoned play-caller with a résumé that spans powerhouse programs and a knack for turning offenses into scoring machines.
Gleeson’s journey to Manhattan is anything but ordinary. He’s no stranger to the Big 12, having served as Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator in 2019, where his Cowboys averaged a solid 32.5 points per game (36th in the FBS) and racked up 453.9 yards per contest (22nd nationally). And this is the part most people miss: before diving into the high-stakes world of Power Five football, Gleeson honed his craft at Princeton (2017-18) and Rutgers (2020-22), proving he can thrive in both FCS and FBS environments. At Princeton, his Tigers went undefeated in 2018, leading the Ivy League in total offense and topping the FCS with a staggering 47.0 points per game. Talk about versatility!
But let’s not forget Gleeson’s roots. A former quarterback at Williams College, he also showcased his athleticism as a first baseman on the baseball team—a testament to his competitive drive. After a stint as an analyst at Missouri in 2023, he stepped into the quarterbacks coach role, and now, he’s back in the coordinator’s seat, this time under Kansas State’s new head coach, Collin Klein.
Here’s the million-dollar question: Can Gleeson replicate his past success with the Wildcats? With Avery Johnson, a seasoned quarterback entering his fourth season, at the helm of the offense, the pieces are in place for something special. But in a conference as competitive as the Big 12, nothing is guaranteed. And this is where it gets controversial: Is Gleeson the missing piece Kansas State needs to contend for a title, or is this hire a risky gamble? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—are you buying into the Gleeson era, or do you think the Wildcats are rolling the dice too hard?
