Kansas State's Collin Klein Trying To Control Emotions Before Coaching Debut
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Kansas State Wildcats coach Collin Klein has waited for this moment since last December.
That's when he was hired to lead his alma mater after being a star quarterback in Manhattan during the early 2010s. After a two-year from the program he bleeds, Klein is back in charge of leading the Wildcats back to national prominence.
It begins today against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. And you can believe there will be lots of emotions. From the fans. From the players.
And, yes, from Klein. He can't wait for his big moment in the Little Apple.
"It's definitely a lot for sure," Klein said. "I remember running out that tunnel for the first time against North Texas as a true freshman, and that's what I want for every one of our players. This is their first time at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. This is not, any part of it, about me – it's about our players, and that's what gets me so excited about that moment for them."
Klein is one of the most celebrated players in school history. In his senior season, he led the Wildcats to an 11-2 record and at one point were ranked No. 1 in the country. That year, Klein was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
After a career in the professional ranks never materialized, he got into coaching. He joined the K-State staff in 2014, working his way up to offensive coordinator under coach Chris Klieman.
He only left the program because of the huge opportunity presented by becoming the offensive coordinator for the Texas A & M. He held that position for two years before getting the chance to return to Manhattan when Klieman stepped down after a disappointing 6-6 season.
Klein inherits a team that was picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 but many feel they could be among the top sleeper teams. The journey for Klein to prove the media wrong begins today.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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