Joe Klanderman in Manhattan, Kansas

Life of Fitz: A Cancer Warrior's Conversations about Life

Spearheading a defense that has been one of the best in the Big 12 over the last three seasons, Joe Klanderman enters his sixth season at Kansas State in 2024 and his fifth as the defensive coordinator. In addition to running the defense, Klanderman also tutors the Wildcat safeties as he has done so since arriving in Manhattan in 2019. Leading a dynamic shift in defensive philosophy before the 2021 season, Klanderman implemented a three-man front for the first time in his career, and the returns paid off as the Wildcats have ranked in the top four of the Big 12 in both total yards and points allowed each of the last three seasons, K-State's longest streak since doing so the 2000 through 2003 campaigns. K-State has averaged 21.3 allowed points per game over the last three seasons – a span of 40 games – to rank 20th nationally, 15th among Power 4 teams and second in the Big 12, the latter being just 0.1 points per game behind the leader. K-State has allowed fewer than 22.0 points per game each of the last three seasons, the first time doing so since 1991 through 2003. Turnovers are a key factor in the limited points surrendered. The Wildcats have ranked in the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons, doing so for the first time since 1999 and 2000. The K-State defense has forced 47 combined turnovers in the last two seasons to rank first among returning Big 12 schools. A 2001 graduate from Minnesota State with a degree in social studies, Klanderman also obtained his master's degree in sports administration from MSU in 2004. Klanderman and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of four children: Elle, Corryn, Jarrett, and James.

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Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for more than 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic Stage Four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast.

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