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Collin Klein
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Collin Klein (born September 19, 1989) is an American college football coach and former player who is currently the head coach at Kansas State University, his alma mater. Klein played as a wide receiver for the Wildcats during the 2009 season, and made his first career start at quarterback in a win against the Texas Longhorns during the 2010 season. Klein finished his college career ranked 15th all-time in career NCAA rushing touchdowns.
Key Information
College career
[edit]Redshirted in 2008, Klein played either at wide receiver or on special teams for the entire 2009 season, catching six passes for 38 yards and one touchdown.[1][2][3] He returned to the quarterback position in 2010, earning spot duty early in the year before making his first career start against the Texas Longhorns, a game which the Wildcats won 39–14 and in which Klein rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns; he completed two of four attempted passes.[4] Klein was one of two quarterbacks in the Big 12 with at least two 100-yard rushing games in the season.
Klein became the Wildcats' first-string quarterback at the beginning of the 2011 season, taking over from a graduating Carson Coffman. In the team's spring game, he passed for 358 yards and five touchdowns.[5]
Klein led Kansas State to victories over their first seven opponents of the season—the Wildcats' first 7–0 start since the year 1999—including four consecutive games in which Kansas State was considered an underdog.[6] On September 24, 2011, Klein led his team to a 28–24 win against a Miami Hurricanes team coming off a win against the defending Sugar Bowl champion Ohio State Buckeyes.[7] The next week, Klein passed for 146 yards in Kansas State's 36–35 upset of the Baylor Bears, a team then ranked fifteenth in the nation by the Associated Press.[8] That game would mark the first time since 2004 that a Wildcat quarterback rushed and passed for over a hundred yards in a single game.
Following a 7–1 start, Klein would set career highs for passing yardage in consecutive weeks, first with 231 yards in a narrow 52–45 loss against third-ranked Oklahoma State, then with 281 yards in a dramatic quadruple overtime victory at Bill Snyder Family Stadium against Texas A&M.[9][10] Klein also rushed for a career-high five touchdowns in the 53–50 win.
He was an Honorable Mention All-American selection by Sports Illustrated, and earned First Team All-Big 12 honors as an all-purpose player from the Associated Press, ESPN.com, Kansas City Star, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the San Antonio Express-News. He earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention from the league's coaches, and was a Second Team Academic All-Big 12 selection. His 27 rushing touchdowns during the 2011 season would equal two national records—most rushing touchdowns in a season by a Big 12 player, and most rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision. These records had previously been set by Ricky Williams and Ricky Dobbs, respectively. He also broke a 42-year-old school record for rushing touchdowns in a season, previously held by Mack Herron, who ran for 20 in 1969.
Klein led the Big 12 with 317 rushing attempts, 67 more than the next highest player and the most in team history.[11] Klein led the Big 12 conference and ranked third nationally with 162 points scored—a mark which was first among quarterbacks. In the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic, he threw for 173 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 42 yards and a touchdown, but Kansas State would lose to Arkansas, 29–16, finishing 10–3.[12][13]
The Wildcats would start off the 2012 season 10–0, with Klein having made obvious improvements to his passing game during the offseason.[14] On September 22, 2012, Kansas State would upset the sixth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, 24–19—the first time in Bob Stoops's tenure as head coach that the Sooners lost to a ranked team at home. He went on to lead the team to an 11–1 record and K-State's first conference championship since 2003.[15] They played the Oregon Ducks in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, but lost 35–17. Klein completed 17 of 32 passes for 151 yards with one touchdown pass, and ran for another, but also threw two interceptions.[16]
Due to his accomplishments during the 2012 college football season, he was selected as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He finished third in voting.[17] He later played in the 2013 East-West Shrine Game, but struggled, completing 5 of 13 passes for 43 yards and an interception.[18]
College statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2009 | Kansas State | 12 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 27 | 27.0 | 0 | 0 | 326.8 | 1 | −8 | −8.0 | 0 |
| 2010 | Kansas State | 10 | 2 | 1–1 | 11 | 18 | 61.1 | 138 | 7.7 | 1 | 0 | 143.8 | 76 | 432 | 5.7 | 6 |
| 2011 | Kansas State | 13 | 13 | 10–3 | 161 | 281 | 57.3 | 1,918 | 6.8 | 13 | 6 | 125.6 | 317 | 1,141 | 3.6 | 27 |
| 2012 | Kansas State | 13 | 13 | 11–2 | 197 | 304 | 64.8 | 2,641 | 8.7 | 16 | 9 | 149.2 | 207 | 920 | 4.4 | 23 |
| Total | 48 | 28 | 22–6 | 370 | 604 | 61.3 | 4,724 | 7.8 | 30 | 15 | 138.4 | 601 | 2,485 | 4.1 | 56 | |
Professional career
[edit]2013 NFL draft
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+7⁄8 in (1.95 m) |
226 lb (103 kg) |
32 in (0.81 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.78 s | 1.67 s | 2.81 s | 4.40 s | 7.17 s | 31.5 in (0.80 m) |
9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[19][20] | ||||||||||||
Klein was asked to work out with the tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine, despite saying that he wanted to remain a quarterback.[21]
Houston Texans
[edit]On April 27, 2013, Klein was invited to the Texans' rookie minicamp as a rookie tryout.[22] Klein was not offered a contract at the conclusion of the rookie minicamp.[23]
Montreal Alouettes
[edit]Klein signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2014. He was released on June 15, 2014.[24]
Coaching career
[edit]Early coaching career
[edit]Klein was a member of the Wildcats' football coaching staff in 2014 and 2015, where he was the assistant director of recruiting, a defensive quality control coach, and graduate assistant. Klein was the quarterbacks coach for the University of Northern Iowa as of the fall of 2016 but returned to Kansas State during the offseason to be the team's quarterbacks coach. [25] In early February 2018 Klein was promoted to co-offensive coordinator in addition to his quarterback coaching duties. After Chris Klieman was named the successor to Bill Snyder, Klein was removed from coordinator duties but remained as the team's quarterbacks coach.[26]
In January 2022, Klein was promoted to offensive coordinator at Kansas State.[27]
In December of 2023, it was announced that Klein accepted the offensive coordinator role at Texas A&M University.[28]
Kansas State
[edit]On December 4, 2025, Klein was named the head coach at K-State, replacing the retired Chris Klieman. Klein remained with the Aggies through the College Football Playoff.[29]
Personal life
[edit]Klein was born on September 19, 1989, to Doug and Kelly Klein. He played football for Loveland High School in Colorado and set school records for completion percentage and all-purpose yards. His younger brother, Kyle, was a wide receiver for Kansas State.[30] His grandfather is a barber in Estes Park, Colorado.[citation needed]
When Klein was in kindergarten, he became interested in learning to play the piano, and began taking lessons the next year. He would later learn how to play both the mandolin and the violin.
Klein married former K-State basketball player Shalin Spani in the summer of 2012 , gaining national attention because they had their first kiss at the altar. Shalin is the daughter of K-State football great Gary Spani. The couple has four children. [31]
Head coaching record
[edit]| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Coaches# | AP° | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State Wildcats (Big 12 Conference) (2026–present) | |||||||||
| 2026 | Kansas State | 0–0 | 0–0 | ||||||
| Kansas State: | 0–0 | 0–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 0–0 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
| |||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ Fritchen, D. Scott (November 28, 2012). "Klein prepares for final home game". EMAWOnline. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Meek, Austin (January 6, 2012). "Homeschool experience shaped K-State's Klein". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Collin Klein 2009 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Collin Klein 2010 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Purple Rallies To Post 38-37 Win at Annual Spring Game". Kansas State University Athletics. April 30, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "2011 Kansas State Wildcats Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Kansas State at Miami (FL) Box Score, September 24, 2011". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Baylor at Kansas State Box Score, October 1, 2011". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Kansas State at Oklahoma State Box Score, November 5, 2011". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Texas A&M at Kansas State Box Score, November 12, 2011". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "2011 Big 12 Conference Leaders". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Cotton Bowl - Kansas State vs Arkansas Box Score, January 6, 2012". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "2011 Kansas State Wildcats Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "2012 Kansas State Wildcats Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Kerkhoff, Blair (December 3, 2022). "K-State's 3rd Big 12 football championship was built on resiliency, epic goal-line stand". Kansas City Star. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Marshall, John (January 4, 2013). "Oregon Wins Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State Falls To Ducks, 35–17 (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "2012 Heisman Trophy Voting". Sports Reference. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Hightower, Kyle (January 19, 2013). "West rides turnovers to 28–13 win in Shrine Game". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "Collin Klein Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "Collin Klein College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Hanzus, Dan (February 22, 2013). "Collin Klein asked to work with tight ends at combine". National Football League. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
- ^ Alper, Josh (April 28, 2013). "Collin Klein lands with Texans". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ "Collin Klein impresses Houston Texans but does not get deal". ESPN.com. May 14, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
- ^ "Collin Klein released by CFL team". themercury.com. June 16, 2014. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "University of Northern Iowa Athletics – 2016 Football Coaching Staff". www.unipanthers.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ Robinett, Kellis (August 22, 2019). "Life has changed for Collin Klein as a coach, but he's still a K-State QB at heart". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ Rittenberg, Adam (January 7, 2022). "Kansas State promotes former Heisman finalist Collin Klein to offensive coordinator". ESPN. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ Tarpley, Jeff (December 6, 2023). "Texas A&M hires Collin Klein as offensive coordinator". 247Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "K-State Legend Collin Klein Hired as Head Coach". Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ Collin Klein. "Collin Klein Profile – Kansas State Official Athletic Site". Kstatesports.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- ^ https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/2012/07/24/marriage-gives-k-states-klein-new-lease/16426362007/
External links
[edit]Collin Klein
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
High school career
Collin Klein was born on September 19, 1989, in Loveland, Colorado.[5] Klein was homeschooled by his parents but participated in sports at Loveland High School.[12] He attended Loveland High School, where he excelled as a quarterback on the football team. As a senior in 2007, Klein completed 116 of 176 passes for 1,398 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning first-team all-Northern Conference honors.[13] He also received honorable mention all-state recognition from the Denver Post for his performance that season.[14] In addition to football, Klein played on the varsity basketball team at Loveland High School.[15] His dual-threat abilities as a high school quarterback attracted recruiting interest from colleges, culminating in his commitment to Kansas State University.[16]Kansas State University enrollment
Collin Klein enrolled at Kansas State University in the fall of 2008 after receiving limited scholarship offers from Kansas State, Colorado State University, Utah, and Air Force, despite his standout performance as a quarterback in high school; he was recruited to play wide receiver due to the depth at the quarterback position.[17][18][19] His persistence in pursuing college football was influenced by his successful high school quarterback experience at Loveland High School in Colorado.[20] During his freshman year, Klein redshirted the 2008 season to adjust to the college level and develop his athletic skills without using a year of eligibility.[3] In 2009, as a redshirt freshman, he saw action in all 12 games primarily as a wide receiver and on special teams, earning two starts at the position but recording minimal statistics, such as 6 receptions for 38 yards.[3][4] Academically, Klein pursued a degree in business financial services and controllership, graduating in December 2011 with a 4.0 GPA in his final semester, which helped him maintain eligibility as a student-athlete throughout his college career.[21][22] Early on, he encountered challenges adapting to the physical and competitive demands of Division I football, compounded by the coaching staff's decision under Bill Snyder to shift him from his preferred quarterback role to wide receiver, a move that tested his versatility and patience.[20]College career
Transition to quarterback
Following his redshirt freshman year in 2009, during which he played as a wide receiver and on special teams to preserve his athleticism on the field, Collin Klein transitioned back to quarterback ahead of the 2010 season. Recruited originally as a quarterback by coach Ron Prince, Klein had been shifted to receiver under Bill Snyder to maximize his versatility amid limited quarterback depth, but the position's ongoing struggles—marked by Carson Coffman's inconsistent performance and the team's 6-6 record the prior year—prompted the move to bolster options in Snyder's option-oriented scheme.[23][24] As a sophomore, Klein served primarily as the backup to starter Carson Coffman, appearing in all 10 games but entering mainly in option packages or late situations. His passing was limited to 11 completions on 18 attempts for 138 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions, reflecting his situational role. However, Klein showcased his rushing ability with 76 carries for 432 yards and 6 touchdowns, often outgaining his passing output in appearances.[4][25] Klein's dual-threat potential emerged most notably in his first career start against Texas on November 6, 2010, where he rushed for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries while completing 2 of 4 passes for 9 yards, helping secure a 39-14 upset victory. This performance highlighted his fit for Snyder's offense, which emphasized quarterback mobility and read-option plays; Snyder, known for developing unconventional talents, refined Klein's skills through focused drills on decision-making and footwork during practices. Klein started the final two regular-season games and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, going 2-1 as a starter and signaling his readiness for a larger role.[27][28]2011 and 2012 seasons
In 2011, Collin Klein assumed the role of starting quarterback for Kansas State, leading the team to a 10-3 overall record and a 7-2 mark in Big 12 play while starting all 13 games.[29] He demonstrated exceptional dual-threat ability in the spread option offense, passing for 1,918 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 1,141 yards and a school-record 27 rushing touchdowns.[4] One of the season's highlights was a 30-27 upset victory over No. 11 Oklahoma State on November 5, where Klein rushed for 151 yards and two scores, helping the Wildcats secure a share of the Big 12 title before losing in the Cotton Bowl to Arkansas. Building on his backup experience from 2010, Klein elevated his game in 2012, starting all 13 games and guiding Kansas State to an 11-2 record, including a Big 12 championship—the program's first outright conference title since 2003. The Wildcats achieved a No. 1 national ranking for three weeks in October, fueled by Klein's efficiency in the option scheme, where he passed for 2,641 yards and 16 touchdowns alongside 920 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.[4] Key victories included a 24-17 win over Texas on October 20, a 24-17 road win against rival Oklahoma on November 17, and a 23-0 shutout of TCU on November 10, showcasing Klein's ability to manage games with both his arm and legs. The season culminated in a 35-17 loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl on January 3, 2013, where Klein rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns despite a late-season ankle injury limiting his passing.[30] Over his two seasons as starter, Klein compiled a 21-5 record, effectively implementing the spread option offense under head coach Bill Snyder to revitalize the program and establish Kansas State as a national contender.[31]Awards and honors
During his time at Kansas State, Collin Klein earned numerous accolades for his performance as a quarterback, culminating in national recognition during the 2012 season. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting as a finalist, behind winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M and runner-up Manti Te'o of Notre Dame. Klein also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2012, presented to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback in the nation. Additionally, he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2012, becoming the first Kansas State player to receive the honor, as voted by the Associated Press and conference coaches.[32] Klein garnered first-team All-Big 12 honors in both 2011 and 2012, selected by the Associated Press and other media outlets for his dual-threat contributions. He advanced to finalist status for the Davey O'Brien Award in 2012, which recognizes the nation's top quarterback, and was similarly a finalist for the Walter Camp Award, honoring the outstanding college football player of the year. These honors reflected his leadership in guiding Kansas State to a 21-5 record over 2011 and 2012, including a Big 12 Championship. At Kansas State, Klein set school records for a quarterback, including most career rushing touchdowns with 56.[4]College statistics
Collin Klein's college career at Kansas State showcased his versatility as a dual-threat quarterback, with statistics reflecting both his passing development and exceptional rushing prowess. Over four seasons (2009–2012), he recorded 4,724 passing yards on 370 completions out of 604 attempts for a 61.3% completion rate, 30 passing touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, while achieving a career passer rating of 141.6. His rushing totals were even more impressive, with 2,485 yards on 601 carries (4.1 yards per carry) and 56 rushing touchdowns, establishing him as one of the most productive running quarterbacks in college football history. Klein had minimal passing involvement in 2009 (27 yards) as he transitioned from wide receiver, with 6 receptions for 38 yards and 1 TD that season but none after.[4][33] Season-by-season breakdowns highlight Klein's growth and impact. In 2010, his first year as a primary quarterback, he passed for 138 yards and rushed for 432 yards with 6 rushing touchdowns. The 2011 season marked his breakout, with 1,918 passing yards and a nation-leading 27 rushing touchdowns (most by any quarterback) on 1,141 rushing yards, powering Kansas State's 10-win campaign. In 2012, Klein threw for a career-high 2,641 yards as a Heisman finalist, while adding 920 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. These figures contributed to 87 total touchdowns across his career (30 passing, 56 rushing, 1 receiving), underscoring his role in Kansas State's offensive success during 2011 and 2012.[4][34][35]| Year | Passing (Cmp/Att, Pct, Yds, TD, Int) | Rushing (Car, Yds, Avg, TD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1/1, 100.0%, 27, 0, 0 | 1, -8, -8.0, 0 |
| 2010 | 11/18, 61.1%, 138, 1, 0 | 76, 432, 5.7, 6 |
| 2011 | 161/281, 57.3%, 1,918, 13, 6 | 317, 1,141, 3.6, 27 |
| 2012 | 197/304, 64.8%, 2,641, 16, 9 | 207, 920, 4.4, 23 |
| Career | 370/604, 61.3%, 4,724, 30, 15 | 601, 2,485, 4.1, 56 |
Professional career
2013 NFL draft
Collin Klein went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft after a college career marked by exceptional rushing production that highlighted his dual-threat potential.[37] Scouts praised Klein's 6-foot-5 frame, physicality, and mobility, viewing him as a capable runner who could extend plays, but concerns over his arm strength, elongated throwing motion, and inconsistent deep-ball accuracy limited his projection as a pure pocket passer.[19] Some evaluators suggested a possible transition to tight end due to his size and blocking ability, though Klein insisted on competing solely as a quarterback.[38] At the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Klein measured 6 feet 5 inches and 226 pounds, with 9 1/4-inch hands.[39] He participated in quarterback-specific drills, declining to work out with tight ends to affirm his commitment to the position.[40] His athletic testing included a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, a 29-inch vertical jump, an 111-inch broad jump, a 7.17-second three-cone drill, and a 4.40-second 20-yard shuttle, results that underscored his speed and agility for a player of his build but did not elevate his draft stock significantly.[39] Klein also threw during the event, aiming to showcase improved mechanics from his senior year.[38] Following the draft on April 27, 2013, Klein agreed to terms with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, receiving one of the team's priority signings based on his Heisman finalist status and leadership qualities.[37] The deal was a standard three-year rookie contract for undrafted players, with a first-year base salary of approximately $405,000 and total value around $2.26 million if he reached the roster, though guarantees were minimal.[41] He reported to the Texans' rookie minicamp to compete for a spot on the depth chart behind established quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Case Keenum.[42]Houston Texans tenure
After going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, Collin Klein signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.[37] He participated in the team's rookie minicamp on May 10-12, 2013, competing for a spot at quarterback alongside Case Keenum and T.J. Yates.[42] During the minicamp, Klein impressed head coach Gary Kubiak with his arm strength and mobility, but the Texans did not extend him a contract at its conclusion.[43] Klein did not make the 53-man roster or practice squad and did not play in any preseason or regular-season games for the team.[41] Klein never appeared on the active roster and did not play in any regular-season games during his time with Houston.Montreal Alouettes stint
Following his release from the Houston Texans in 2013, Collin Klein signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on May 16, 2014. The 24-year-old quarterback joined the team as an import player, bringing his dual-threat experience from Kansas State to compete for a spot on the depth chart behind starters like Troy Smith.[44] Klein participated in the Alouettes' training camp and appeared in one pre-season game on June 14, 2014, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In that contest, he entered in the fourth quarter and helped lead a field-goal drive that narrowed the Hamilton lead to 28-20, though the team ultimately lost 28-23.[45] Despite the opportunity in the CFL, Klein's stint was short-lived. He was released by the Alouettes on June 16, 2014, as part of the league's mandatory roster reductions to 65 active players ahead of the regular season.[46][47] This release marked the end of his brief professional playing career, after which he transitioned into coaching roles.[47]Coaching career
Early coaching positions
After concluding his professional playing career, Collin Klein returned to Kansas State University, his alma mater where he had starred as quarterback from 2009 to 2012, to begin his coaching tenure under head coach Bill Snyder. In 2014, Klein joined the Wildcats' staff as a graduate assistant, assistant director of recruiting operations, and defensive quality control coach.[8][7] Despite his defensive title, Klein contributed to offensive preparations, assisting with quarterback coaching and helping senior Jake Waters achieve a school-record 3,501 passing yards that season.[48] In 2015, he shifted fully to the offensive side as a graduate assistant, further immersing himself in offensive schemes and player development.[49][50] Seeking a dedicated on-field role, Klein moved to the University of Northern Iowa in 2016 as quarterbacks coach for the FCS-level Panthers.[51] In his lone season there, UNI finished 5-6 overall (4-4 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference), and Klein focused on mentoring the quarterback room, building foundational experience in position-specific coaching and offensive fundamentals.[52]Kansas State roles
Klein joined the Kansas State football staff as quarterbacks coach in 2017 under head coach Bill Snyder.[53] He served in that role through 2021, working under Snyder in 2017 and 2018, interim head coach Richard Klemm for the final games of the 2018 season, and Chris Klieman starting in 2019.[53] During this period, Klein mentored quarterbacks including Skylar Thompson, the only player in program history to accumulate 6,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in his career, and Will Howard, who emerged as a key starter by 2021.[7] The Wildcats posted records of 8-5 in 2017, 5-7 in 2018, 8-5 in 2019, 7-1 in 2020, and 9-4 in 2021, with bowl appearances in four of those five seasons.[54] In January 2022, Klein was promoted to offensive coordinator while retaining his quarterbacks coaching duties, continuing under head coach Klieman.[55] He implemented a run-heavy, option-style offense that emphasized quarterback mobility and balanced attacks, drawing from his own playing experience as a dual-threat signal-caller.[56] Under Klein's coordination, the 2022 Wildcats achieved a 10-4 record, averaging 32.3 points per game and 419.6 yards per game, and reached the Sugar Bowl but lost 20-45 to Alabama.[7][57] The 2023 season saw further refinement of Klein's scheme, with total offense improving to 445.2 yards per game and the rushing attack bolstered by efficient execution, including a national ranking of 15th in yards per rush attempt (5.0).[7] Kansas State finished 9-4, and won the Pop-Tarts Bowl 28-19 over NC State.[58] Throughout his tenure from 2017 to 2023, Klein contributed to recruiting efforts that brought in top quarterback prospects and supported the program's consistent postseason participation, with bowl games in seven of the seven seasons.[59]Texas A&M offensive coordinator
Collin Klein served as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from January 2024 to December 2025 under head coach Mike Elko, bringing his experience from Kansas State to implement a dynamic, player-centric scheme.[22][60] In the 2024 season, Klein helped lead the Aggies to a balanced offensive attack that emphasized run-pass balance and quarterback development, ranking in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense at 30.4 points per game while supporting an 8-5 overall record and 5-3 mark in SEC play.[61][62] He mentored sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, who threw for over 2,500 yards. In 2025, Klein's offense continued to improve during his second year, finishing the season with 33.8 points per game (19th nationally) and 444.5 total yards per game, contributing to an 11-2 overall record (7-1 in SEC play) and a berth in the College Football Playoff (first-round loss to Miami 10-3). Notable highlights included a record comeback 31-30 win over South Carolina on November 15 after trailing 30-3 at halftime, as well as key victories over ranked opponents such as #22 Missouri and LSU.[63][64][65] The unit's success stemmed from Klein's adaptations, incorporating pro-style passing concepts tailored to college recruits' athleticism, such as refined run-pass options that exploit defensive alignments while maximizing the mobility of quarterbacks like Weigman and freshman Marcel Reed.[66][67] Klein departed Texas A&M after the 2025 postseason to return to Kansas State as head coach.Head coach at Kansas State
On December 4, 2025, Kansas State University announced the hiring of Collin Klein as the 36th head football coach in program history, with athletics director Gene Taylor making the announcement. Klein agreed to a five-year contract with an average annual base salary of $4.3 million. He transitioned to the role after completing his tenure as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M through their postseason run.[2][68] A K-State legend as a former quarterback, 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist, Johnny Unitas Award winner, and member of the school's Ring of Honor, Klein becomes the first K-State alumnus to serve as head football coach since Ellis Rainsberger (1975–1977). He previously spent nine years on the K-State coaching staff, including as offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 (helping lead to a 19-8 record and the 2022 Big 12 Championship) and in other roles from 2014 to 2021.[69][2] Klein was introduced to the public on December 5, 2025, in a welcome event at Morgan Family Arena. Athletics director Gene Taylor stated: "We are excited to welcome one of our all-time greats back home to Manhattan. Collin is a tremendous leader who cares deeply about his players. The grit, toughness and aggression he displayed as a player still fuels him today as a coach, and he is determined to carry on the tremendous success this program has achieved. As we know, college football has changed, and I am confident that Collin is ready to embrace this new model while maintaining the culture that we know as K-State Football. Welcome home, Collin, Shalin, Beric, Rhett, Trek and Briar." Klein responded: "My family and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to come home. Thank you to President Linton and Gene Taylor for believing in us to lead the Cats into a new era. The position of Head Coach at Kansas State has a long legacy of service, hard work, determination, and competitive greatness that I am honored to carry forward. This is Family business, and we cannot wait to get to work!"References
- https://www.[espn.com](/page/ESPN.com)/college-football/game/_/gameId/303102306/texas-kansas-st
