Kansas State Taps Mike Schmidt to Lead Offensive Line Under Collin Klein
Kansas State football is reloading up front, and it looks like they’ve found their guy. According to reports, offensive coordinator Collin Klein is set to bring in Mike Schmidt as the Wildcats’ new offensive line coach-a move that signals a clear commitment to physicality in the trenches.
Schmidt, who also served as the run-game coordinator at San Diego State, brings a résumé loaded with experience and results. He’s no stranger to building tough, disciplined offensive lines, and his track record reflects that.
At SDSU, his unit helped power one of the nation’s top rushing attacks, ranking 20th nationally and averaging just under 200 yards per game. Just as important, they kept their quarterback upright, allowing the 25th-fewest sacks in the country.
For Kansas State, a program that prides itself on a strong run game and physical play at the line of scrimmage, Schmidt feels like a natural fit. His coaching journey has taken him across the country, but the common thread has been production-especially on the ground.
Let’s take a look at the path that’s led him to Manhattan.
A Career Built in the Trenches
Schmidt is a San Diego State alum, and that’s where his coaching roots were planted. He started as a graduate assistant in 2009 and spent more than a decade with the Aztecs, helping guide the program to 10 straight bowl appearances.
During that stretch, 15 of his offensive linemen earned All-Mountain West honors, and three were eventually drafted into the NFL. That’s the kind of development pipeline that programs love to see.
In 2021, Schmidt took his talents to the ACC, joining Syracuse as their offensive line coach. The impact was immediate.
That year, the Orange led the conference in rushing. The following season, running back Sean Tucker exploded for over 1,000 yards and earned All-American honors-another feather in Schmidt’s cap.
His next stop was in the SEC at Mississippi State, where he took on a hybrid role coaching tight ends and tackles while coordinating the run game in 2023. He then returned to San Diego State for the past two seasons, this time as the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator.
Now, he’s set to bring that same brand of tough, efficient line play to Kansas State.
What This Means for the Wildcats
Kansas State has built its identity around being tough up front. The Wildcats don’t just want to run the ball-they want to control games with it. Bringing in a coach like Schmidt, who’s developed NFL talent and consistently produced top-tier rushing attacks, is a strong move by Klein and the staff.
With Schmidt on board, expect the Wildcats to double down on their offensive identity. His experience across multiple conferences-from the Mountain West to the ACC and SEC-gives him a versatile perspective on how to build and adjust a run game. That kind of adaptability could be key as Kansas State looks to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving Big 12 landscape.
Schmidt's Coaching Timeline
- 2026: Kansas State (Offensive Line Coach)
- 2024-25: San Diego State (Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line)
- 2023: Mississippi State (Run Game Coordinator, Tight Ends & Tackles)
- 2022: Syracuse (Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Line)
- 2021: Syracuse (Offensive Line)
- 2012-20: San Diego State (Offensive Line)
- 2009-11: San Diego State (Graduate Assistant)
Schmidt’s arrival in Manhattan marks the next step in a coaching journey defined by consistency, development, and results. For a Kansas State program that thrives on maximizing talent and winning at the line of scrimmage, this hire could prove to be a foundational piece moving forward.