Collin Klein’s history with former K-State coaches is helping him lead Wildcats
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Collin Klein consults Chris Klieman and occasionally touches base with Bill Snyder.
- Klein mixes Klieman traits and Snyder habits, adding full‑pad practices.
- AD Gene Taylor is seeking to shift Klieman into a new advisory role.
Over the weekend, Kansas State football coach Collin Klein welcomed a familiar face to spring practice.
Chris Klieman, the man he replaced at Bill Snyder Family Stadium five months ago, joined Klein at midfield as the Wildcats went through warmups.
They talked for a few minutes and shared some laughs. Pictures of their chat quickly circulated on social media. It was a perfect image that connected K-State’s football past to its future. But the exchange was anything but a photo opportunity.
Klein says he has been using Klieman and Snyder as advisors as he adjusts to life as head coach for the Wildcats.
“I’ve been extremely blessed to be around some of the best to ever do it,” Klein said. “From Coach Snyder to Coach Klieman and, most recently, to (Texas A&M) coach (Mike) Elko. I am just so grateful to each one of them. I learned different things from each one of them.”
Klein has a pair of helpful resources nearby.
He played quarterback for Snyder at K-State, and they won a lot of games together. As a junior in 2011, Klein led the Wildcats to 10 wins and the Cotton Bowl. A year later, the Wildcats won 11 games and appeared in the Fiesta Bowl. Klein played well enough to become a Heisman Trophy finalist. Snyder coached well enough to win a Big 12 championship.
A decade later, Klein helped Klieman win a conference title of his own as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Klieman surprisingly decided to retire in December after seven years with the Wildcats. But he is still welcome around the football facilities, as far Klein is concerned.
That is one of the reasons why K-State athletic director Gene Taylor is hoping to shift Klieman into a new advisory role within the department.
“We’ve talked a handful of times, and he’s been great,” Klein said. “There have been a few things I’ve had questions about or wanted clarity on. Whatever the issue was, he made sure that I was understanding it and seeing things as best as I could. He’s been a big-time mentor for me. I’m excited to have that moving forward, because he’s tremendous.”
Some of Klieman’s coaching style was still present during an open practice earlier this week.
But you could also see a lot of Snyder’s old coaching characteristics returning to Manhattan with Klein at the helm.
Klein wants K-State to spend 12 of its 15 spring practices in full pads in order to encourage physicality and conditioning. He also likes to take notes from afar, the same way Snyder did back in his prime.
Snyder is also a coaching resource for Klein.
“We talk,” Klein said. “We will touch base here and there. I have been able to have breakfast with him over the last couple years when I have been on vacation. He is very, very dear to me. I rely on his wisdom daily.”
The goal isn’t for Klein to emulate Klieman or Snyder now that he is the head coach. But he learned much from them. He is putting that knowledge to good use now that he is in charge.
This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Collin Klein’s history with former K-State coaches is helping him lead Wildcats."