The Kansas State Wildcats have officially named Collin Klein to be the next football coach. As was widely expected following the retirement of Chris Klieman on Wednesday, the Klein news was made official on Thursday evening with posts to social media.
Klein will become the 36th head football coach in school history. He has agreed to a five-year contract with an average base salary of $4.3 million. He served as K-State’s offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023 and currently serves as the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, a role that he will continue in during the Aggies’ run through what is expected to be a trip to the College Football Playoff.
“My family and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to come home,” Klein said. “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!”
This season, Texas A&M’s offense rank in the top 30 nationally in scoring (16th; 36.3 points per game), total offense (20th; 454.4 yards per game), rushing offense (26th; 192.7 yards per game), passing offense (32nd; 261.8 yards per game), tackles for loss allowed (1st; 2.83 per game), fourth down percentage (2nd; 75.0%), sacks allowed (11th; 1.00 per game), passing yards per completion (11th; 14.09), time of possession (15th; 32:24) and first downs (29th; 272). Texas A&M has hit the 400-yard mark in total offense 10 times in 12 games thus far in 2025.
As a player, Klein led the Wildcats to a combined 21-5 record as the starting quarterback in 2011 and 2012, which culminated with a No. 1 national ranking, Big 12 Championship and Fiesta Bowl berth in 2012. Klein becomes the first K-State alum to serve as head football coach since Ellis Rainsberger from 1975-77.
Klein helped the Wildcats to 51 wins and five bowl appearances during his tenure as a full-time assistant coach. He helped guide Kansas State to a 19-8 mark and a Big 12 Championship during his two-year run as offensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023.
