Goal For Kansas State Wildcats' Defense Is To Keep Opponents Guessing
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As a first year coach, Kansas State's Collin Klein already has enough responsibility as the program's CEO.
He needs most of his time to focus on that, so delegating tasks are a must if he is going to succeed. That's why it was important for Klein to surround himself with a staff he trusted. None of his hires were more important than defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson.
Peterson was held the same position with the Texas A & M Aggies when Klein was the offensive coordinator last season. At Big 12 Media Days, Klein hinted at what to expect from the Wildcats' defense.
He said the key is variety.
"In today's world, you have to be multiple," Klein said. "You have to present different pictures and different fronts. Our ability to be multiple was important."
Last year Peterson's defense helped lead the Aggies to an 11-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoffs. He's also had stops at Kansas, New Mexico and Fresno State.
"With his experience level and the different places that he's been, I feel very confident that we'll be able to put the best package together that will fit our personnel and also be multiple."
KLEIN EXPECTS TO HIT GROUND RUNNING
While being a first-year coach is considered a difficult adjustment for everyone, it should be somewhat easier for Klein. For starters, he has the luxury of returning to lead his alma mater. Secondly, he was has prior experience as an assistant with the program.
No one is saying Klein has an advantage but familiarity goes a long way in sports. Klein addressed the adjustment last week during the Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas.
When he was hired in December, he was still committed to being the Texas A & M Aggies' offensive coordinator for their bowl game.
"The transition timing is crazy in college football right now," Klein said. "You're doing 10,000 different things and when you're in the middle of a playoff game while putting together a staff, trying to hold the roster together. I was very fortunate having been here two years before, not too long ago, to have a little bit of a lay of the land, a little bit of an understanding of the personnel, of the roster."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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