​It would have been malpractice for Kansas State not to reach out to Collin Klein when considering their next head coach. Hires like this rarely unfold exactly as scripted, especially when the favorite son returns to lead his alma mater, and it’s easy to trigger the Scott Frost–Nebraska alarm at the first sign of trouble. Still, there’s a case that leans more toward optimism: Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State, or even a dream scenario like Steve Spurrier returning to Florida.
Kansas State can and should be immediate contenders under Klein. Why Klein was the Wildcats’ only real choice: Klein is Kansas State’s new head football coach, speaking at his introduction ceremony at Morgan Family Arena on Dec. 5, 2025. He’s 36, the same age as Dillingham, who also had no prior head coaching experience when he rose from offensive coordinator to a high-profile role—though Dillingham didn’t play college football at Arizona State. The distinction here is experience and pressure. Frost, Spurrier, and Dillingham carried the burden of saving floundering programs; Klein’s task is to elevate a strong situation and push it further.
Yes, Kansas State endured a disappointing 6-6 season in Chris Klieman’s final year, but that felt more like a blip than a trend. Klieman had won 28 games and a Big 12 title in the previous three seasons. Last year’s team had the pieces, but momentum slipped after a tough loss to Iowa State and never fully recovered. Still, the Wildcats finished 5-2 down the stretch, with losses only to Texas Tech and Utah—the team never quit. And now Klein represents a fresh direction.
Kansas State is getting a top coaching prospect who knows the program inside and out—Klein was a key assistant until 2024 when he took over the Texas A&M offensive coordinator duties—and even without head coaching experience, it’s a risk worth taking. The man whose name graces Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium didn’t have head coaching experience either, and he thrived in time.
2026 Kansas State Schedule Analysis
Head Coach: Collin Klein (1st year)
Best Case / Worst Case: Compete for the Big 12 Championship / Struggle to reach bowl eligibility
Key Player: Wendell Gregory, EDGE, Sophomore
2025 Record: 6-6
Biggest Question: Can all the new players and coaches mesh and sharpen both sides of the ball?
Kansas State Key 2025 Stats
3rd Quarter Scoring: Kansas State 113, Opponents 68
Red Zone Scores: Kansas State 34-of-37 (92%), Opponents 36-of-45 (80%)
Fumbles: Opponents 16 (lost 13), Kansas State 15 (lost 8)
Offense
Sean Gleeson spent last year as Missouri’s quarterbacks coach and now will be Collin Klein’s offensive coordinator. The offensive style will evolve under Klein and Gleeson, aiming to capitalize on the program’s strengths while pushing for more consistency and efficiency.