Kansas State hires former QB Collin Klein as head coach

Collin Klein is coming home to run the program he once electrified.

Kansas State hired the 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist its next head coach on Thursday, a swift move that followed Chris Klieman's retirement.

Klein, currently Texas A&M's offensive coordinator, received a five-year contract from Kansas State worth an annual average of $4.3 million, according to multiple media reports.

"We are excited to welcome one of our all-time greats back home to Manhattan," athletic director Gene Taylor said in a statement. "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."

Klein becomes the 36th head coach in school history and the first alum to take charge of the program since Ellis Rainsberger (1975-77). He will be introduced Friday at Morgan Family Arena. Klein will continue serving on Texas A&M's staff through the Aggies' postseason.

"My family and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to come home," Klein said. "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!"

Klein's roots run deep in Manhattan. He played from 2009-12, passing for 4,724 yards, with 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while adding 2,485 yards and another 56 TDs on the ground over 43 games. As a senior, he led the Wildcats to the Fiesta Bowl and finished third in Heisman voting behind the winner, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, and Manti Te'o of Notre Dame.

Klein, 36, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Kansas State. After a yar at Northern Iowa, he returned to the Wildcats in 2017 as quarterbacks coach before adding offensive coordinator to his resume the following season. As Kansas State's offensive coordinator in 2022-23, he helped deliver a Big 12 title and back-to-back top-10 scoring seasons in program history.

He exited to take over as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator in 2024. With the Aggies, Klein oversaw one of the nation's most efficient attacks, earning Broyles Award semifinalist honors this fall after an 11-1 regular season.

--Field Level Media