By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
FRISCO, Texas — Collin Klein has been part of the Big 12 as a fan, a player and a coach.
Now, he is back in the conference as the head coach at Kansas State.
Klein spoke Wednesday at the 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days at the Ford Center at The Star.
He called his return to Manhattan “a dream come true” while laying out his vision for the Wildcats.
“This is home for me,” Klein said. “It’s a dream come true. I’m so grateful for our administration, our players and all the effort that has been put in the last six months as we build this thing and move it forward.”
Klein, a former Kansas State quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist, said the program’s foundation remains rooted in the work of former coaches Bill Snyder and Chris Klieman. Klein said both men had a major impact on him, not only as a coach, but as a person.
He said Klieman has been supportive throughout the transition and has kept the program’s best interest in mind. Klein also said Snyder’s influence helped push him toward coaching.
“I’d be here all day if I was going to go through all the ways that his fingerprints have been on my life,” Klein said of Snyder. “Probably a big reason I got into coaching, to be perfectly honest with you.”
Klein takes over a Kansas State program that he said already had a strong culture in place. He said one of his first priorities after taking the job was building relationships with players and evaluating the roster while also trying to hold the team together during a fast-moving transition period in college football.
“The biggest thing was trying to build relationships with the players as fast as I could,” Klein said. “Coach Klieman had done an unbelievable job. Our culture has been very, very strong. So, a good situation to walk into as a first-time head coach.”
One of the biggest pieces Klein retained was quarterback Avery Johnson.
Johnson, a senior, and former Maize High School standout, gives Klein an experienced and dynamic quarterback to build around. Klein said his relationship with Johnson goes back several years and gives the Wildcats a head start offensively.
Klein said Johnson’s athletic ability and arm talent stand out, but his competitiveness and approach are what make him special.
“He’s one of the best competitors I’ve been around,” Klein said. “He works hard at his craft. He’s a very stoic, laid-back guy, but you know that processor is going and his motor is going hot under there, even though he is very calm and collected on top.”
Klein said he and Johnson share a love for football, competition and team success.
“That’s a good combination,” Klein said. “The history we have, I think, has given us a head start to be able to get back thinking the same way and on the same page to do what we want to do.”
Defensively, Klein said new defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson will bring a multiple approach. Peterson followed Klein from Texas A&M and has previous experience in Kansas.
Klein said the modern college game requires defenses to present different fronts and looks, while also fitting the scheme to the players on the roster.
“In today’s world, you have to be multiple, and you have to present different pictures, different fronts,” Klein said. “Our ability to be multiple was important.”
Klein also described his overall approach as “new old school,” saying he wants Kansas State to continue embracing toughness, investment, sacrifice and grit.
“There’s a level of investment, there’s a level of sacrifice, there’s a level of toughness, there’s a level of grit that sometimes can be unpopular,” Klein said. “That’s a place that we’re going to live.”
Klein said players who put on the Powercat will be expected to represent the program the right way and be willing to work at the level needed to reach their potential.
He also pointed to the leadership developing inside the program. Klein said Kansas State formed a leadership council during the winter and spring, with captains set to be voted on two weeks into training camp.
Klein specifically praised the defensive players Kansas State brought to media days, including junior safety Wesley Fair, a Wichita Collegiate product. He said those players have shown strong work ethic, character and care for the team.
“They’ve done a great job in our player representation meetings, bringing issues to the table, helping serve their teammates and solve problems,” Klein said.
Klein said his faith remains central to how he approaches the job and the opportunity to lead Kansas State.
“My faith, my relationship with Jesus, is the most important thing,” Klein said. “The reason and the mission that I’m called here, and that we are called here, every one of us, is to serve and impact those around us.”
With the season approaching, Klein said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead a program that helped shape his life.
“It’s incredibly exciting for the future of Kansas State football,” Klein said. “Excited for the season to get started.”