Kansas State coordinator Conor Riley expected to leave for job with Dallas Cowboys
Conor Riley is on the move.
After six seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats as an offensive line coach and then a coordinator, Riley has decided to take a new coaching job with one of the most iconic football teams in the world.
The Dallas Cowboys are hiring Riley as their new offensive line coach.
“I have said for a long time that I truly believe Conor Riley is the best offensive line coach in college football,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said in a statement. “Certainly, we will miss him. But what an opportunity for him and his family to be a part of one of the world’s top sports organizations. He will be a remarkable NFL offensive line coach, and I know he will enjoy a long coaching career at the game’s highest level.”
Riley will make the move to the NFL after he served as K-State’s offensive coordinator last season. While he was calling plays, he guided the Wildcats to an average of 30.85 points and 401 yards per game while they won nine games.
Before that, he worked as an offensive line coach for five years in Manhattan. He also coached that position under head coach Chris Klieman when they were together at North Dakota State. Riley has a reputation in college football circles as one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the country. The NFL noticed.
During his time at K-State, Riley coached standout offensive linemen such as Hayden Gillum, Scott Frantz, Noah Johnson, KT Leveston and Cooper Beebe.
He will be reunited with Beebe and former K-State running back Deuce Vaughn in Dallas. Beebe just completed his rookie season with the Cowboys at center. It will be fun to see what they can do together at the professional level.
Riley’s departure means that K-State will have its fourth new offensive coordinator in five years heading into next season. Courtney Messingham was replaced by Collin Klein and now Riley is on his way to the NFL.
But Klieman may not have to look far to find a replacement.
If he continues to promote from within, as he has done every other time he needed a new play-caller, Matt Wells would be a logical candidate. The former Texas Tech head coach spent last year working alongside Riley as co-offensive coordinator at K-State. He has built a strong relationship with quarterback Avery Johnson and he would give the Wildcats an easy transition as they enter spring practice.
Drew Liddle, a former K-State player who helped Riley coach the offensive line in previous seasons, might be a candidate to take over as a position coach who is in charge of the front five.
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Kansas State coordinator Conor Riley expected to leave for job with Dallas Cowboys."