Kansas State football, Collin Klein tab Cory Patterson as RB coach

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MANHATTAN — Kansas State football coach Collin Klein has turned his attention to the Wildcats’ offensive staff after focusing a lot on the defense in recent weeks.

K-State announced the hiring of Cory Patterson as its next running backs coach.

Patterson was the running backs coach at Oklahoma State in 2025, and he’s also served as a wide receivers coach at Purdue (2023-24), and as a tight ends coach at Illinois from 2018-20 and a running backs coach from 2021-22.

Before coaching at the Power 4 level, Patterson was a successful high school coach in the St. Louis area at Christian Brothers and Trinity Catholic, going a combined 27-6, with a state title at Trinity Catholic.

“I am excited about the opportunity to do something special here at K-State,” Patterson said in a release. “There has been a tradition of great running back play here, so we have to keep the party going!”

The St. Louis native was responsible for developing current Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown at Illinois, who rushed for 2,648 yards and 15 touchdowns over two seasons.

This past season, the Cowboys’ running backs combined for 1,172 yards and six scores.

Patterson played collegiately at Lindenwood before his career was cut short due to a leg injury.

Cory Patterson coaching career

  • 2009-12, Christian Brothers High School (Assistant Coach)
  • 2013-14, Trinity Catholic High School (Offensive Coordinator)
  • 2015-17, Trinity Catholic High School (Head Coach)
  • 2018-20, Illinois (Tight Ends)
  • 2021-22, Illinois (Running Backs)
  • 2023-24, Purdue (Associate Head Coach/Wide Receivers)
  • 2025, Oklahoma State (Running Backs)
  • 2026, K-State (Running Backs)

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Cory Patterson to become Kansas State football’s running backs coach

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