FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State University safeties coach Devin Klieman was selected to the 2026 class of the American Football Coaches Association's 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, which was announced Monday, Dec. 8.

The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.

Klieman has been NDSU's safeties coach the past two seasons under head coach Tim Polasek. Klieman spent the previous five seasons as a student assistant and graduate assistant at Kansas State, where his father and former NDSU head coach, Chris Klieman, was the head coach from 2019 through 2025.
 
Klieman is the fourth Bison coach selected to the leadership institute. Former NDSU offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl and defensive coordinator David Braun were selected for the 2020 event, and defensive coordinator Grant Olson was selected for the 2025 event.