K-State football coaching change coverage, Collin Klein hire

All eyes are on the transition in Kansas State's football program following Chris Klieman's retirement and the hiring of Collin Klein as the new head coach.

Chris Klieman, after seven years, retired from coaching, expressing a desire to prioritize his personal health and family. Despite a successful tenure, he experienced a challenging final season. Collin Klein, a former Kansas State quarterback and offensive coordinator, was hired as the new head coach.

The decision marks a homecoming for Klein, aligning with a much anticipated succession plan. Klein's hiring generates excitement among Kansas State fans eager for his leadership. His previous roles include leading explosive offenses, both at Kansas State and Texas A&M, where he helped the Aggies achieve impressive results.

Kansas State’s football program is undergoing a transition from retiring head coach Chris Klieman, right, to Collin Klein, right. Klein is a former KSU quarterback now coaching at Texas A&M as the Aggies’ offensive coordinator.

NO. 1: K-STATE FOOTBALL COACH CHRIS KLIEMAN IS RETIRING. COLLIN KLEIN SET TO REPLACE HIM

The succession plan that many Kansas State football fans have been yearning for is here. | Published December 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

Offensive coordinator Collin Klein of the Texas A&M Aggies watches players warm up before the game against the Samford Bulldogs\ at Kyle Field on November 22, 2025 in College Station, Texas. By Tim Warner

NO. 2: COLLIN KLEIN READY TO RETURN TO ‘A SPECIAL PLACE’ AS K-STATE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Collin Klein had to fight back tears when he was named offensive coordinator at Kansas State. | Published December 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman pauses for a moment during a press conference at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Wednesday where he spoke about his decision to retire from coaching. By Travis Heying

NO. 3: CHRIS KLIEMAN EXPLAINS DECISION TO RETIRE AFTER 7 YEARS AS K-STATE FOOTBALL COACH

Some were surprised when Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman abruptly announced his decision to retire on Wednesday after spending the past seven seasons in charge of the Wildcats. | Published December 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

NO. 4: CHRIS KLIEMAN DECIDED TO RETIRE FROM K-STATE OVER THE SPAN OF ‘A CRAZY 48 HOURS’

Chris Klieman didn’t shed any tears during his retirement news conference on Wednesday. Instead, the Kansas State football coach waved to a large group of his peers from across campus who showed up to support him. | Published December 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein, right, watches warm-ups before a college football game against the Samford Bulldogs at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas on Nov. 22, 2025. By Tim Warner

NO. 5: K-STATE EXPECTED TO MOVE QUICKLY IN PURSUIT OF HEAD-COACHING TARGET COLLIN KLEIN

Now that Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman has publicly announced his retirement and explained his decision to both players and fans, it is time for Wildcats athletic director Gene Taylor to shift his focus and begin working to hire a new head coach. | Published December 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

Avery Johnson #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats hands the ball off to Joe Jackson #4 during the second half of a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. By Chris Gardner

NO. 6: KANSAS STATE WILDCATS MAY DECLINE BOWL GAME FOLLOWING CHRIS KLIEMAN’S RETIREMENT

The Kansas State football team is eligible to play in a bowl game, but the Wildcats may have taken the field together for the final time this season. | Published December 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

Offensive coordinator Collin Klein of the Kansas State Wildcats looks on before a game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Manhattan, Kansas. By Peter Aiken

NO. 7: KANSAS STATE HIRES FORMER QUARTERBACK COLLIN KLEIN AS NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Collin Klein and the Kansas State football team have a long history together. | Published December 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

NO. 8: K-STATE WILDCATS Q&A: ON CHRIS KLIEMAN, COLLIN KLEIN AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Kansas State fans are getting exactly what they wanted. | Published December 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kellis Robinett

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.