Marcus Woodson Joins Kansas State as Co-Defensive Coordinator, Bringing SEC Experience to Manhattan
Kansas State’s new era under head coach Collin Klein is already taking shape, and the Wildcats just added a key piece to their defensive puzzle. Former Arkansas co-defensive coordinator Marcus Woodson has been hired to fill the same role in Manhattan, where he’ll also coach the defensive backs.
This move brings a coach with deep experience and a resume that stretches across multiple conferences and programs. Woodson becomes part of Klein’s first staff since taking over the reins from longtime head coach Chris Klieman, who retired earlier this month after seven seasons at the helm.
“Marcus is a great addition to our defensive staff,” Klein said in a statement released by the university. “He is of high character, hard working and a winner. I am excited for him to help lead our defense and develop our secondary.”
Woodson arrives at Kansas State after a rocky but instructive tenure at Arkansas. Hired in January 2023 alongside then-defensive coordinator Travis Williams, Woodson was brought in to help overhaul a Razorbacks defense that had struggled mightily the year before. And initially, there were real signs of progress.
In 2023, Arkansas ranked 31st nationally in pass defense, allowing just 202.8 yards per game through the air. That was a massive leap from the previous season, when the Razorbacks finished dead last in the FBS, surrendering nearly 300 passing yards per contest. That turnaround earned praise across the SEC and suggested the defensive backfield was finally trending in the right direction.
But the momentum didn’t last. Arkansas regressed in 2024, dropping to 111th in the nation in pass defense.
By the time Woodson and the rest of the defensive staff were let go in late September 2025, the Razorbacks were giving up 257 passing yards per game - good for 113th nationally. The team had stumbled to a 2-3 start, and interim head coach Bobby Petrino opted to make sweeping changes on the defensive side.
Despite the abrupt end in Fayetteville, Woodson’s coaching track record speaks for itself. He’s been developing defensive backs for nearly two decades, with stops that include Millsaps College, Charleston Southern, Fresno State, Memphis, Auburn, and Florida State. That kind of journey brings a wealth of experience across different systems and talent levels - something that should serve Kansas State well as it looks to maintain its defensive identity in the Big 12.
“My family and I are incredibly excited to join the Kansas State family,” Woodson said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to pour into our players and help build something special here in Manhattan.”
Financially, Woodson’s departure from Arkansas came with a potential buyout of up to $583,333, according to his release and waiver agreement. That included monthly payments of $58,333 through the end of 2025, then $29,167 per month through February 2027.
Now, he turns the page and steps into a new challenge - one that offers both a fresh start and a chance to make an immediate impact in a conference where defensive consistency can be hard to come by. For Klein, assembling a staff that can complement his offensive mind is critical. And with Woodson anchoring the secondary, the Wildcats are betting on experience, resilience, and a coach who’s seen both the highs and lows of big-time college football.