Kansas State's Collin Klein Has Two Mentors Who Helped Prepare For New Journey

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Kansas State Wildcats first-year coach Collin Klein is more than prepared for this challenge. 

He should be because of the two mentors in life he gained while being in the Wildcats program. Klein had the luxury of playing for legendary K-State coach Bill Snyder. Later, he served as a top assistant under ex-coach Chris Klieman. 

The experiences under both should speed the process of Klein getting acclimated to his first head coaching job. He spoke about it last week during Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. 

"I think it's an incredible situation top from bottom. starting most recently with coach Klieman, our relationship is very unique," Klein said. "I think it's very genuine. I think both of us have come at everything through the different course of our professional journey what is best for the other person. I think that is something that I don't take for granted. He's been there every step of the way."

Klein was the quarterbacks coach under Klieman from 2019-2023 before taking the offensive coordinator job at Texas A & M in 2024. Before beginning his coaching career, he was a star quarterback from the Wildcats from 2008-12. It was then he became one of the most beloved players in school history. 

At the time, he was able to learn the game under Snyder, who was responsible for turning the Kansas State program into a power. 

He said the experience played a huge role in him entering the coaching world. 

"Coach Snytder has been tremendous," Klein said. "I'd be here all day if I was going to go through all the ways his fingerprints have been in my life and probably a big reason I got into coaching. All of those little things that I did't even know he was teaching me at the time. Being able to apply those and have those come to fruition through the course of my journey is incredible."

MORE K-STATE NEWS 

Collin Klein has a strong message for incoming players 

Are Collin Klein and Avery Johnson already on same page? 

Avery Johnson reacts to Dylan Edwards' departure to KU 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com 

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