Van Malone, a builder of culture who was a successful defensive back in both college and the NFL, enters his sixth season coaching the cornerbacks at Kansas State in 2024. He is also in his fifth season as the program’s assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator, titles he added prior to the 2020 campaign.

Malone – who has tutored six All-Big 12 cornerbacks in his five seasons on staff – has helped the Wildcat defense rank in the top four of the Big 12 in both total yards and points allowed in each of the last three seasons, K-State’s longest streak since doing so from 2000 through 2003. Over that time, K-State has allowed an average of 21.3 points per game to rank 20th nationally, 15th among Power 4 programs and second by returning Big 12 teams, the latter ranking just 0.1 points per game behind the leader.

Part of the success has been in forced turnovers – specifically interceptions – as K-State has ranked in the top 20 nationally in turnovers gained in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999 and 2000, while the Wildcats’ 47 turnovers gained over the 2022 and 2023 campaigns are the most among returning Big 12 teams. Among those 47 turnovers gained, 29 are via interception and 11 are from Malone’s corners.

Thanks to Malone and his cornerbacks, K-State finished the 2023 season ranked in the top 30 nationally in eight categories, placing 11th in third-down defense (30.2%), 16th in fumble recovered (10), 18th in pass efficiency defense (118.63), 20th in turnovers gained (23), 25th in interceptions (13), 26th in scoring defense (21.0), 28th in first downs allowed (225) and 30th in red zone defense (89.2%). Although the Wildcats allowed points in nearly 90% of their opponents’ red zone attempts, only 39.4% of those resulted in touchdowns, which was the second-best mark in the nation.

Malone saw two of his pupils earn all-conference status, including Jacob Parrish, who tied for fourth in the Big 12 and 19th nationally in interceptions, while he ranked sixth in the conference in passes defended. Thanks to his on-field success, Malone was named the Big 12 Cornerbacks Coach of the Year by Our Coaching Network.

Malone’s work in both on-field and off-field facets helped the Wildcats win the Big 12 title in 2022 as K-State ranked 10th nationally and second in the Big 12 in interceptions (16), its highest national ranking since 2003 and most interceptions since 2016. K-State also ranked 29th in the country and third in the Big 12 in scoring defense (21.9), marking the first time the Cats had consecutive seasons allowing less than 22.0 points per game since going 13-straight years from 1991 to 2003.

Under Malone’s guidance, cornerback Julius Brents ranked 22nd in the country and third in the Big 12 with four interceptions en route to All-Big 12 First Team accolades from the league’s coaches. Brents went on to be selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft – No. 44 overall – by the Indianapolis Colts, the highest-drafted Wildcat cornerback since Terence Newman went fifth overall in 2003. Opposite Brents, Ekow Boye-Doe was an honorable mention pick in 2022, and he went on to sign a free agent contract with Kansas City en route to being a member of the active roster during the Chiefs’ playoff run.

On a personal level, the 2022 season also saw Malone honored on two occasions. Prior to the season, Malone was one of 12 coaches in the nation selected for the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches Coalition Academy. Additionally, Malone and K-State quarterback Will Howard earned the Be the Match Champions Award from the Maxwell Football Club after the season for spearheading the Wildcats’ effort for the Be the Match national bone marrow donor program.