Kansas State Adds Veteran Coach Nick Toth to Defensive Staff, Reuniting with DC Jordan Peterson
MANHATTAN - Kansas State continues to retool its defensive staff, officially bringing in Nick Toth as the Wildcats’ new linebackers coach. Toth arrives from Air Force, where he coached safeties and helped guide one of the top defenses in the Mountain West. But what makes this hire particularly intriguing is his long-standing connection with new defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson - a reunion that could pay dividends in Manhattan.
Toth’s coaching résumé is deep, varied, and loaded with experience at both the Power Five and Group of Five levels. He’s held defensive coordinator roles at Mercyhurst, Ashland, and Fresno State, and most recently took over defensive play-calling duties for Air Force in the second half of the 2025 season. That familiarity with leading a defense - and doing it successfully - is a big win for Kansas State as it looks to maintain its physical, disciplined identity on that side of the ball.
In a statement following the announcement, Toth made it clear he’s embracing the opportunity with open arms. “Jen and I are fired up and blessed to be a part of Collin and Shalin’s Kansas State Football Family,” he said.
“K-State Athletics has a standard of excellence that Gene Taylor has pushed to the highest level, and the championship tradition that legendary coach Bill Snyder created is what all coaches strive to be a part of. We cannot wait to get to work.
EMAW!”
Toth’s ties to Peterson go back more than a decade. The two worked together at Texas A&M from 2010-11, then again at Fresno State, where Toth served as defensive coordinator from 2012-15 and inside linebackers coach in 2016. That kind of continuity can’t be overstated - it means Kansas State’s defensive staff won’t need much of a learning curve when it comes to communication, philosophy, and scheme.
And Toth brings more than just familiarity - he brings results. In 2024, Air Force’s defense was a force in the Mountain West, leading the conference in total defense by allowing just 341.9 yards per game. Nationally, the Falcons finished third in first down defense and 27th in passing defense - impressive numbers that speak to both discipline and execution on the back end.
His coaching tree is just as diverse as his résumé. Toth was the outside linebackers coach at Oregon in 2021, where he worked with All-American Kayvon Thibodeaux, who went on to become a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Before that, he spent three seasons as UCF’s special teams coordinator, playing a key role in the Knights’ 2018 American Athletic Conference title and their Fiesta Bowl appearance. Whether it’s linebackers, safeties, or special teams, Toth has shown he can coach it - and coach it well.
Now, he steps into a linebackers room that’s in transition. Austin Romaine is heading to the transfer portal, and Des Purnell has graduated.
That leaves Toth with a group that will likely lean on youth and development - something he’s no stranger to. His track record suggests he’s more than capable of molding talent and getting production, even when the depth chart is in flux.
Here’s a look at Toth’s coaching journey, which spans over two decades and nearly every position group on defense:
- 2000-01: Ohio (Graduate Assistant)
- 2002: Dakota State (Defensive Backs)
- 2003: Ohio (Tight Ends)
- 2004: Ohio (Defensive Line)
- 2005: Elon (Defensive Backs)
- 2006: Mercyhurst (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
- 2007-08: Ashland (Defensive Coordinator)
- 2009: The Citadel (Special Teams/Defensive Backs)
- 2010-11: Texas A&M (Outside Linebackers/Special Teams)
- 2012-15: Fresno State (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers)
- 2016: Fresno State (Inside Linebackers)
- 2017: Air Force (Spurs/Nickels)
- 2018-20: UCF (Special Teams Coordinator)
- 2021: Oregon (Outside Linebackers)
- 2022-25: Air Force (Safeties)
- 2026: Kansas State (Linebackers)
With Toth now officially on board, Kansas State’s defensive staff is taking shape with a clear identity - one built on experience, familiarity, and a commitment to tough, smart football. And as the Wildcats prepare for a new chapter under Collin Klein, Toth’s presence should bring stability and a fresh edge to the linebacker corps.