Texas A&M expected to hire Kansas State’s Collin Klein as offensive coordinator: Source

Texas A&M is expected to hire Kansas State’s Collin Klein as its new offensive coordinator, a school source confirmed. Klein is new A&M coach Mike Elko’s first coordinator hire since arriving in late November. 247Sports was the first to report that Klein was becoming A&M’s OC.

Klein, a former K-State quarterback, has been on the Wildcats’ offensive staff since 2017 as quarterbacks coach but took over offensive coordinator and play-calling duties before the 2022 season.

In 2023, the Wildcats were second in the Big 12 in scoring (37.8 points per game). K-State was one of the most balanced teams in the conference, averaging 246 passing yards and 199 rushing yards per game. The Wildcats ranked 15th nationally in rushing average.

Why Klein makes sense for Texas A&M

Klein will fit in well at A&M. Elko wants to run a program that’s physical, tough and plays complementary football. Klein comes from a Kansas State program that has a similar ethos.

He has proven capable of developing quarterbacks, from Skylar Thompson who became an NFL Draft pick to Will Howard, who set the program record for career touchdown passes last season. Klein’s scheme was also flexible, and tailored to his quarterbacks’ strengths. Over the last two seasons, K-State played two quarterbacks (Adrian Martinez and Howard in 2022; Howard and freshman Avery Johnson in 2023) and the offense remained productive.

Despite losing star running back Deuce Vaughn to the NFL following 2022, the Wildcats got better on offense under Klein’s watch. K-State ranked No. 1 in the country in red zone touchdown rate (78.6 percent) and was eighth nationally in third-down conversion rate (49.4 percent).

If A&M can hold onto its immense offensive talent — from former five-star quarterback Conner Weigman and the collection of former four-star running backs and receivers Evan Stewart, Moose Muhammad III and Noah Thomas — Klein will have a ton to work with. Pairing his style with Elko’s defensive prowess is an enticing combination. — Sam Khan Jr., senior college football writer

What this means for Kansas State

Klein is only 34 years old but has already put in nine years working on Kansas State’s coaching staff. This is a well-deserved move to one of the more prominent OC jobs in the country which could boost his chances of becoming a head-coaching candidate. K-State coach Chris Klieman bet on him when making his OC change at the end of the 2021 season and that decision paid off a major way for the Wildcats.

The fact that Kansas State has a difference-maker at QB to build around in Johnson should make an already great opportunity even more appealing for K-State’s next OC. The true freshman is one of the fastest players in the program and flashed serious potential as a dual-threat playmaker when he ran for 90 yards and five touchdowns in a road win at Texas Tech in October. Holding onto him is of the utmost importance, and the Wildcats also return a 1,000-yard rusher in DJ Giddens. Klieman won’t have any trouble finding a coach who wants this job if he prefers to look outside the program for a hire. — Max Olson, senior college football writer