Van Malone, who has several ties to the Big 12 and was a successful defensive back in both college and the NFL, enters his second season coaching the cornerbacks at Kansas State in 2020. Malone added the titles of assistant head coach and passing game coordinator prior to his second campaign in Manhattan.

In his first season in Manhattan, Malone helped tutor a defense that ranked second in the Big 12 by allowing 21.4 points per game, K-State’s best mark since 2003. Thanks in part to Malone’s work in the back end, Kansas State ranked second in the nation in third down defense at 28.0% - its best mark since at least 2003 – and second in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (202.9 yards per game) – its best finish in five years.