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Kansas State football loses wide receivers coach Thad Ward to Illinois

Arne Green
Topeka Capital-Journal
Kansas State wide receivers coach Thad Ward is leaving the Wildcats after one season to become running backs coach at Illinois.

One month after leading Kansas State to a Big 12 championship and a Sugar Bowl appearance, Chris Klieman finds himself with a coaching staff vacancy.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema announced Tuesday morning that Thad Ward will take over as Illini running backs coach after one season tutoring K-State's wide receivers. The move was first reported Monday by ESPN's Pete Thamel.

"We are very excited to bring Thad and his family back here to Illinois," Bielema said in a statement. "Getting to know him and his journey to where he is today is a huge part of why he will be great in our running back room and with our entire offensive staff.

"Throughout his career, Thad has shown the ability to take his players to the highest level of success while building relationships on and off the field."

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This will be Ward's second stint at Illinois, after also directing the Illini running backs from 2016-18.

Ward made an impact leading K-State's receiving corps in his one year under Klieman, especially with Malik Knowles, who led the team with a career-best 48 catches for 725 yards and two scores as a senior. The Wildcats' three leading receivers all came from his position group, with Phillip Brooks adding 45 catches for 587 yards and four touchdowns, and Kade Warner 46 for 456 and five scores.

Of those three, only Brooks will return in 2023 as a super-senior, but Ward also made his presence felt on the recruiting trail, helping to bring in a strong group of new receivers. In addition to high school standouts Andre Davis, Jayce Brown, Tre Spivey and Wesley Watson, the Wildcats added Iowa transfer Keagan Johnson to a returning cast that includes Brooks, RJ Garcia, former Ole Miss transfer Jadon Johnson and super-senior Seth Porter.

Ward is the lone departure so far from a K-State staff that compiled a 10-4 record, the best in Klieman's four seasons as head coach. The Wildcats finished with a No. 14 in both major national polls.

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.