Kansas State’s Coaching Staff Taking Shape Under Collin Klein, with Familiar Faces from Texas A&M
Collin Klein is wasting no time putting his stamp on the Kansas State football program. As the newly appointed head coach in Manhattan, Klein is building his first staff with a clear theme: familiarity, trust, and shared experience. And that starts with the official hiring of Christian Ellsworth - a name that should ring a bell for Wildcat fans paying attention to the program’s recent past.
Ellsworth, who coached tight ends at Texas A&M this past season, is returning to K-State to take over as quarterbacks coach. But this isn’t his first stint in Manhattan.
He previously served as an offensive graduate assistant for the Wildcats in 2020 and 2021, working closely with Klein during that time. Now, he’s back - and this time, he’s in charge of mentoring the most important position group on the field.
“My family and I are humbled and excited to be back in Manhattan,” Ellsworth said in a statement. “It is an honor to serve this program, university, and community.”
Klein, who has a long-standing relationship with Ellsworth dating back to their days at Northern Iowa - where Ellsworth played quarterback under Klein - made it clear this hire was about more than just familiarity. It was about trust, work ethic, and vision.
“Christian is a rising star in this profession,” Klein said. “His work ethic and competitive nature are on another level. He is of the utmost character and integrity, and I am proud for him to develop our quarterbacks.”
That quarterback room, by the way, is going to be one of the most scrutinized units on the team heading into next season. With Klein - a former K-State quarterback himself - now at the helm and Ellsworth guiding the position, the expectation is that the Wildcats will continue to develop dynamic, intelligent play under center.
But Ellsworth is just the first domino to fall.
Klein is expected to bring several more familiar faces from Texas A&M with him to Manhattan. Among them is Jordan Peterson, who served as co-defensive coordinator for the Aggies and is expected to take over the reins of the K-State defense. That’s a significant move - Peterson brings a reputation for developing aggressive, disciplined units, and he’ll be tasked with maintaining the physical identity that’s long defined Wildcat football.
Also expected to join the staff is Josh Buford, a Texas A&M analyst who could slide into an on-field or support role, along with other potential additions from College Station. The theme is clear: Klein is surrounding himself with coaches he’s worked with, trusted, and succeeded alongside.
The staff is already starting to take shape beyond the A&M connections. Stanton Weber has been brought in as the new special teams coordinator - a critical role at a program that’s prided itself on excellence in that phase of the game.
Trey Scott is on board as general manager, helping oversee the roster and personnel side of the operation. And there’s continuity on the defensive line, with Buddy Wyatt staying on in his current role.
Brian Lepak is also expected to remain with the program as tight ends coach, providing another thread of consistency as Klein balances new energy with institutional knowledge.
All told, this is a staff that blends familiarity with fresh opportunity. Klein is clearly building a culture rooted in relationships, shared experience, and a unified vision for what Kansas State football can be under his leadership. And if the early hires are any indication, he’s not just assembling a group of coaches - he’s building a team with a common purpose.