Chris Klenakis
Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Carroll College in 1986 and his master’s degree in exercise physiology from Nevada in 1992.
Chris came to Southern Miss after serving 10 years at the University of Nevada in Reno, where he compiled an impressive array of offensive records and national rankings. During both the 2000 and 2001 seasons at Southern Miss, Klenakis' offense produced a 2,000 yard passer in quarterback Jeff Kelly, who threw for 2,381 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior and then topped those numbers with 2,613 yards and another 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Klenakis’ career at Nevada started in 1990, and he held a number of different positions there prior to taking over as offensive coordinator in 1996. He served as offensive line coach, strength coach, academic coordinator, video coordinator, recruiting coordinator, offensive line coach, and run game coordinator. During his tenure at Nevada, the Wolfpack set a total of 24 NCAA offensive records. His offense sported a 3,000 yard passer, a 1,000 yard rusher, and a 1,000 yard receiver in 1997, 1998, and 1999, and had a pair of 1,000 yard receivers in 1997 and 1998--the only school in NCAA history to accomplish this more than once.
Nevada led Division I A in total offense in 1993, 1995, and 1996, and led the nation in passing offense in 1993, 1995, and 1997. The Wolfpack also was second in I A in total offense in 1994 and 1999, second in passing offense in 1994 and 1996, and second in I A in scoring offense in 1996.
His teams produced the leading wide receiver in the nation four times, as well as a 4,000-yard career rusher, the 33rd best mark in NCAA history at that time. His teams have sent seven offensive linemen to the professional ranks, produced 25 all conference players, as well as two All Americans, and won the Big West Conference Championships in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.
Prior to Nevada, Klenakis served as head coach at Fallon High School in Fallon, Nev. While at Fallon, his teams compiled a 21 9 record, and he was twice voted the Nevada Coach of the Year.