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Karl
Klug was an All-State football player at Caledonia, an All-Big Ten selection at
Iowa and had a seven-year career in the NFL. He coaches high school football in
Tennessee these days, but his heart remains in Caledonia.
Written By: Isaac Trotter | Sep
20th 2020 - 11am.
Caledonia’s Karl Klug
sheds two defenders and runs for a 33-yard touchdown during a Class AA state semifinal football game against
Hawley at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on Nov. 19, 2005. (Post-Bulletin file
photo)
Karl Klug dedicated his entire life to football.
That’s what
mattered most above almost everything else. Klug's dedication certainly paid
off.
The Caledonia High School graduate and All-State football
player went on to have a standout, All-Big Ten career at Iowa and then scrapped
his way to a seven-year career with the Tennessee Titans (2011-17).
In the seven years, Klug missed just three total games.
He was a warrior and a lynchpin of the Titans’ defensive line.
But life for Klug
looks a little different now that the veteran is three years removed from
football. He’s still around the game, he's just giving the orders now instead
of executing them. Currently, Klug is coaching the defensive line at Page High
School in Franklin, Tennessee.
Tennessee Titans
defensive end Karl Klug sacks Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles
during a game in 2014. (File photo)
Klug is also coaching his kids in 8U baseball and
6U softball. He might be the biggest 6U softball coach around.
“The biggest
thing about 6U is that you’re trying to get them to quit playing in the sand,”
Klug said with a laugh.
It’s sort of a
transition season for Klug.
He’s found a
rewarding side job helping out in a special needs program.
“These are kids
who have graduated and we’re trying to get them ready for the real world,” Klug
said. “They go to stores and stock shelves. They need someone to care for them.
What the heck am I going to do with my life? I’m dabbling with a few things and
seeing what I liked. I enjoy working with them. They’re just big kids.”
Even though Klug
is more than 700 miles away, he still keeps close tabs on Caledonia athletics.
He thought Owen
King had the potential to be an NFL quarterback one day with the right
development. Eli King’s jaw-dropping highlight reel has Klug thinking that he
could do something special, too.
“I’ve seen Eli King’s
film and holy Toledo,” Klug said. “Holy smokes. His athletic ability speaks for
himself. I feel like I don’t really have to dress it (up) because he’s just so
special. His work ethic is off the charts, based off what I’m told. The great
thing I hear about those boys is that they’re always humble. The few times I’ve
been around them, they seem like just great standup dudes.”
Klug knows how
stressful the recruiting process can be, but he’s given King some space to make
the tough choice on his own. But he certainly wouldn’t hate for King to pick
the Hawkeyes –– a school that’s offered King for both basketball and football.
"I talked to
his dad about a month ago and told him, ‘You’ve been through this process
before, but if you have any questions, just holler,’” Klug said. “I just want
to let him enjoy his recruiting process and stay out of it. I know he’ll make
an educated, wise decision.”
Klug is healthy,
rested and happy in Tennessee. But his heart remains in Caledonia.
