Following up on reports late this week, Iowa State has indeed hired former Nevada and Arkansas assistant coach Chris Klenakis as the Cyclones’ offensive line coach. Coach Paul Rhoads (pictured) made an announcement in a release on Saturday. Former O-line coach Bill Bleil will move to coaching tight ends.
“Chris has been part of very productive offenses at both Nevada and Arkansas,” Rhoads said. “His extensive knowledge and background as a coordinator in the Pistol offense will help us diversify and expand our offensive system. The Pistol is emerging, in both college and the NFL, as a highly potent offense that is changing how teams have to prepare defensively. He’s a great addition to the Iowa State football program. We were in a win-win situation because of Bill Bleil’s vast experience coaching many different positions, including tight ends.”
Klenakis spent the past three seasons as the O-line coach for Arkansas, but was not retained by new Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema. Before his time with Arkansas, Klenakis was the offensive coordinator at Nevada from 2003-09. Klenakis was reportedly considered for the Wolf Pack job earlier this month before the program hired Texas A&M assistant Brian Pollian to replace longtime coach Chris Ault.