Collin Klein’s first year back in Manhattan comes with a familiar kind of pressure: expectation. CBS Sports sees Kansas State reaching seven wins in his debut season as head coach, with four of those coming in Big 12 play.
That projection puts Klein squarely in the spotlight after his return to the program, where his name alone has stirred plenty of optimism. He already owns two Big 12 championships, both as a player and as a coach, and now he’s back with a chance to guide the Wildcats toward another run.
CBS Sports tied much of that outlook to Avery Johnson, the quarterback Klein originally recruited. As the outlet put it, "Klein returns to Kansas State with immediate expectations and a quarterback he knows better than most.
Avery Johnson, whom Klein originally recruited, is the linchpin for everything the Wildcats hope to accomplish in Year 1. His athleticism and experience give Kansas State a chance to contend, but his consistency as a passer will determine the team's ceiling," the article wrote.
Johnson’s career so far has not matched the buzz that surrounded him. The source material describes his seasons as disappointing compared with what had been anticipated, especially in Year 3, when a step back followed an already underwhelming 2025 campaign. His production dipped in nearly every statistical category, and he never quite took the leap many expected.
Klein’s arrival changes the conversation for 2026. The veteran play-caller is expected to build around Johnson’s strengths, with a faster tempo, more designed runs and more shots downfield. That would mark a shift from last season, when former offensive coordinator Matt Wells was criticized in Manhattan, KS, for conservative play-calling.
There is also recent evidence that Klein can develop a quarterback outside his comfort zone. He spent last season working with Marcel Reed and helped turn him into a top signal-caller, which only adds to the belief that he can do the same with Johnson in a place he knows well.
Still, Kansas State has heard big promises before. The Wildcats have been projected as a Big 12 force for years and have not always lived up to it. Their first chance to show what this version can become comes in a month, when they open the season against Nicholls State.
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Collin Klein Has Kansas State Chasing A Fast Rebound
Collin Klein is back in the center of Kansas State football again, this time as the coach trying to steady the program after Chris Kliemans resignation. The Wildcats are heading toward training camp with a familiar face in charge, and that matters in a season where continuity could be just as important as talent. CBS Sports has the Wildcats projected at 7-5, which fits the sense that this is a roster good enough to stay relevant but still facing enough questions to make the early months feel like a test.
Avery Johnsons return at quarterback gives Klein an important piece to build around, and the schedule also offers Kansas State a chance to gain ground without having to survive a brutal road grind. Several of the biggest matchups are set to come at home, which could help the Wildcats settle in while Klein puts his stamp on the program. The bigger question now is how quickly that familiarity turns into results, because Kansas State does not need a complete overhaul so much as a fast rebound. [Read more 🡒]