Manhattan is a town that lives and breathes purple. But lately, the air around Bill Snyder Family Stadium has felt a bit different. If you haven't been keeping up with the chaotic carousel of the Big 12, you might have missed the earthquake that just hit the Little Apple.
Chris Klieman is out. Collin Klein is in.
It's the kind of move that feels like destiny to some and a massive gamble to others. Honestly, hiring a "legend" to return home as the coach of Kansas State football is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward play. People are still processing how quickly the Klieman era ended after he announced his retirement in December 2025. One minute he’s the second-winningest coach in school history, and the next, the keys are handed to the "Optimus Klein" himself.
The Shocking Transition Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s be real: most fans expected Chris Klieman to stay for another decade. He had a contract through 2030 and a buyout that would make a billionaire blink. But after a frustrating 6-6 campaign in 2025, the grind apparently took its toll. Klieman’s retirement wasn't just a quiet exit; it was a realization that the modern era of NIL and the transfer portal is, well, exhausting.
He left with 54 wins and a Big 12 Championship from 2022. That's a hell of a legacy.
Then came the phone call to College Station. Collin Klein, who was busy calling plays for Texas A&M and leading them to an 11-1 record in 2025, didn't need much convincing. He’s the first K-State alum to lead the program since the mid-70s. For a guy who was a Heisman finalist and basically the personification of "K-State Grit," this isn't just a job. It’s a homecoming.
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What Collin Klein Brings to the Table (Besides Nostalgia)
There’s a common misconception that Klein was hired just because he’s a favorite son. That’s sort of insulting to his resume. While at Texas A&M, his offense was a juggernaut. We're talking about a unit that helped the Aggies push for a College Playoff spot.
He didn't come back to Manhattan alone, either. He immediately went out and poached Sean Gleeson from Missouri to be his offensive coordinator. Gleeson is a guy who has been around—Oklahoma State, Rutgers, Princeton—and he knows how to manufacture points. Klein also brought in Mike Schmidt from San Diego State to handle the offensive line.
- The Five-Year Deal: Klein signed for an average of $4.3 million per year.
- The Mission: Maintain the "discipline and toughness" culture while modernizing the recruiting pitch.
- The Quarterback Whisperer: All eyes are on how he develops Avery Johnson, the speedy QB who is the centerpiece of this roster.
Basically, Klein is trying to blend the old-school Bill Snyder "1% better every day" philosophy with a high-octane, SEC-style offensive brain. It sounds good on paper, but the Big 12 is a meat grinder now.
Why the Coach of Kansas State Football Faces an Uphill Battle
You’ve got to wonder if the expectations are a bit too high. K-State fans are used to winning nine or ten games lately. They remember the 2022 title like it was yesterday. Klein is stepping into a situation where "rebuilding" isn't a word the boosters want to hear.
The 2025 season was a reality check. The Wildcats went 5-4 in the conference and suffered some head-scratching losses to teams like Army and West Virginia. The defense, under Jordan Peterson, has to find its identity again. Klein is keeping Peterson on as Defensive Coordinator, which provides some continuity, but the results on the field have to change.
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The pressure is real. You're following a guy in Klieman who was 7-0 against KU. If Klein drops a Sunflower Showdown early in his tenure, the honeymoon period will evaporate faster than a puddle in a Kansas July.
Breaking Down the New Coaching Staff
Klein didn't just keep the old guard. He’s shaking things up.
Thad Ward is sticking around as Associate Head Coach and Wide Receivers coach, which is huge for recruiting. But the addition of Sean Gleeson as OC is the real headline. Gleeson’s 2024 Missouri offense was top-10 in red zone efficiency. If he can bring that clinical execution to Manhattan, Avery Johnson might actually live up to the Heisman hype.
- Sean Gleeson (OC): Known for not turning the ball over. Missouri had only five interceptions in 2024.
- Jordan Peterson (DC): Tasked with fixing a secondary that got scorched in the Utah and Texas Tech games.
- Stanton Weber (Special Teams): A K-State man through and through. He knows the "Special Teams U" reputation is non-negotiable.
The Avery Johnson Factor
Let's talk about the kid wearing number 2. Avery Johnson is the most talented quarterback to walk through those doors in a generation. In 2025, he threw for 2,385 yards and 18 touchdowns, but he also struggled with consistency in big games.
As the new coach of Kansas State football, Klein’s primary task is turning Johnson into a superstar. Klein was a running QB himself, but he learned to be a surgical passer. If he can impart that wisdom to Johnson, the Wildcats could be back in the Big 12 title hunt by 2027.
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Johnson’s dual-threat ability is the perfect canvas for a Klein-Gleeson collaboration. They need to stop relying solely on D.J. Giddens to carry the load and start stretching the field vertically.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at the future of this program, keep these things in mind. The transition is going to be bumpy, but the foundation is solid.
- Watch the Spring Game: Look for the tempo. Gleeson and Klein want to play faster than Klieman did. If the offense looks sluggish in April, be concerned.
- Monitor the Portal: K-State needs help in the trenches. If Klein doesn't land two or three experienced defensive linemen, the 3-3-5 defense will continue to struggle against the run.
- The Schedule: The 2026 Big 12 slate is brutal. Early road games will test Klein’s leadership.
- Recruiting: Keep an eye on the "Land of Oz." Klein needs to lock down the borders and keep the top Kansas recruits from heading to Oklahoma or Nebraska.
The era of Collin Klein is officially here. It’s emotional, it’s exciting, and it’s a little bit terrifying. He’s the guy who bled for the jersey, and now he’s the guy who has to lead it. Manhattan is ready to follow him, but in the Big 12, love only lasts as long as the winning streak.
The first step for the new staff is finalizing the 2026 recruiting class and ensuring that the locker room buys into the "Family" mantra that Klein is reviving. Keep a close eye on the early signing period updates to see if the "Klein Effect" is moving the needle with four-star prospects.