Collin Klein has big plans for QB Avery Johnson as they reunite at Kansas State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Klein returns to Kansas State as head coach and play-caller, reuniting with Johnson.
- Klein plans an attack using Johnson’s passing and rushing as situational weapons.
- Klein emphasizes Johnson as facilitator, expects him to attack and distribute football.
Collin Klein thoroughly enjoyed the two years he spent as an offensive coordinator at Texas A&M before Kansas State hired him as its new head coach, but there was one major drawback that came with the job.
He was no longer on the same team as K-State quarterback Avery Johnson.
“That was hard,” Klein said during an exclusive interview. “It was one of the hardest things in my decision to go down there. He’s been special to me since he was a sophomore in high school, and that’s a long time.”
Klein, who previously starred as both a quarterback and a play-caller for the Wildcats, would have jumped at any opportunity to return to his alma mater and replace Chris Klieman as the football team’s head coach. But re-uniting with Johnson was an unexpected bonus.
“I’m really excited to be with him,” Klein said, “and do this thing together.”
Johnson is about to embark on his senior season with the Wildcats. Klein recruited the 6-foot-3 quarterback when was a high school recruit coming out of Wichita. Then they spent one year together when Johnson was a freshman. They made a good team.
With Klein calling plays, Johnson threw for 479 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 296 yards and seven touchdowns as a runner. Johnson wasn’t the primary starter at the time. He was a complementary quarterback behind Will Howard. His only QB start came in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but he turned in a MVP performance. He also rushed for five touchdowns in a regular season game against Texas Tech.
It seemed like K-State had found a future star at quarterback.
Klein spent the next two seasons at Texas A&M while Johnson remained at K-State and led the offense under the guidance of Conor Riley and then Matt Wells. Johnson boosted his career numbers to 5,576 yards and 48 touchdowns as a passer to go along with 1,378 yards and 22 touchdowns as a runner.
Some thought Johnson might look to transfer after Klieman unexpectedly retired in December. But Klein did everything in his power to make sure his quarterback stayed in Manhattan.
“I told him, ‘I want you to finish strong and go out the right way,’” Klein said. “I don’t think anyone is going to work harder for him to do that than me. Him putting a stamp on his legacy here is going to be a great thing. I want what’s best for every single one of our players, but I really want what is best for him.
“I’m really glad that he felt this was best for him. We had a little time together at the beginning of his career, and now we are going to have a little more time at the end of it. We are going to finish this thing the right way.”
It will be interesting to see what plans Klein has in store for Johnson, as he will continue calling offensive plays as a head coach.
As a freshman, Johnson was viewed as a run-first quarterback who made big plays with his legs. But that perception has changed over the past two years. He still uses his legs, sure. But fans often gripe that he is now trying too hard to be a pocket passer.
Klein wants to find a balance for Johnson.
Contrary to perception, Klein said “we don’t run the quarterback a whole lot.” Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed averaged eight carries per game last season. But there were times when the Aggies leaned on his legs.
Klein envisions a similar approach for Johnson next season.
“Whatever it’s going to take for the team to win,” Klein said. “If you get too caught up in analyzing the specifics of that it can lead you astray or distract you from what is most important.
“He’s got to be the facilitator and distribute the football. He can’t do it all by himself. I want him to be aggressive and use his legs as a weapon when the time is right. I want him to be in attack mode in every aspect of his game. What will his exact carry number be at the end of the year? If he’s in attack mode, and we’re winning, it will be the right number.”
Klein hasn’t been able to coach Johnson on the field since he returned to Manhattan. That won’t happen until spring practices begin.
But they have spent a lot of time talking about the K-State offense and how they can light up the scoreboard together.
They hope that spending two years apart will help them reach their full potential now that they are once again on the same team.
“It’s been fun just to get reacquainted here these last two months,” Klein said, “because we’ve adapted and grown schematically. In some ways, he’s obviously grown and matured. I think we’re on the same page. He’s very confident in what we’re asking him to do. Being around him again has been a lot of fun.”
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Collin Klein has big plans for QB Avery Johnson as they reunite at Kansas State."