Collin Klein makes head-coaching debut at Kansas State against Nicholls

Collin Klein returns to Manhattan as Kansas State's head coach and will lead the Wildcats in his first game against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Klein is 36 and was a standout quarterback at Kansas State, including a Heisman Trophy finalist season in 2012 when he played for Bill Snyder.

Kansas State finished 6-6 last season and declined a bowl invitation. That marked only the second time since 2010 the program didn't play in a bowl. Preseason consensus projections place Kansas State around seventh or eighth in the 16-team Big 12.

A significant setback for the offense is the season-ending lower-leg injury to left tackle John Pastore. Kansas State has been shuffling personnel along the offensive line as a result. Klein described the lineup changes as an "interesting carousel," saying adjustments weren't what the coaching staff projected entering the season.

Despite turnover and offensive-line uncertainty, the offense retains core players. Senior quarterback Avery Johnson returns with 5,576 passing yards and 1,378 rushing yards in his career, giving Klein a veteran signal-caller to run his system. Senior running back Joe Jackson, a third-team all-conference pick last year, finished 2025 with a strong closing stretch, rushing for 435 yards and six touchdowns combined against Utah and Colorado in the final two games.

Nicholls coach Tommy Rybacki, in his second season and 5-8 overall, said having already played gives his team an advantage entering the matchup. Rybacki emphasized focusing on fundamentals — executing tackles and assignments — instead of getting distracted by Kansas State's history, Bill Snyder Stadium or the Big 12 label.

• Offensive-line depth and cohesion: Losing Pastore forced Kansas State to move players around. How the line handles pass protection and the run game will affect early results.
• Avery Johnson's command: Johnson's experience is the offense's stabilizing factor. His ability to manage the game and limit turnovers will be crucial.
• Transfer integration: Watch the newcomers, especially Wendell Gregory on defense and receiver Josh Manning, to see how quickly portal additions contribute.

Projections put Kansas State in the middle of the Big 12 preseason order. Klein inherits a team with clear needs but also with veteran skill players. The debut against an FCS opponent will offer the first public look at Klein's approach as head coach, how quickly his staff settles the offensive line, and how effectively the transfers blend into game plans.