If I was KSU and Gene - I would target Jeff Monken (Head coach Army). He does have some ties to him with the playoff runs in the past.
Gene does have a strong tied to the service academies. Army recruits nationally.
I believe the system he runs could work at a place like Kansas State and he is a no-nonsense type of coach. He has been at Georgia Southern and Army winning big at both locations. KSU historically had won by controlling the tempo of the game by running the football.
Maybe this is just a Pollyanna view of Coach Klieman but is it possible he's happy at the helm of the NDSU ship and life in Fargo? We're all familiar with the Peter Principal, rising to the level of incompetence. I read an article by a man who had his own take on the PP, "The higher a monkey climbs the more you see his ass." Although I've never met Coach Klieman he seems to be a man of integrity. Yes, I get the insane amount of money that gets thrown at high level athletes and coaches. But how much is enough to enjoy your life? Go Bison! Pollyanna