Former K-State quarterback, Collin Klein, is coming back to be a Wildcat.
Klein is joining Bill Snyder’s team as the new quarterbacks coach. Tuesday Bill Snyder announced the decision, saying Klein will replace Del Miller, who is retiring after 45 years of coaching, including 20 years with K-State.
“Following Del will not be the easiest thing for one to do, but Collin – having been tutored under Del’s guidance – will do well,” Snyder said. “Fortunately, Del will remain with us through the spring to continue to mentor Collin during the out-of-season program and in spring practices.”
Klein is one of K-State’s most accomplished quarterbacks. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist and guided the Wildcats to the Big 12 Championship. He finished his Wildcat career ranking in the school’s top 10 in 34 different game, season and career record categories. Klein obtained his undergraduate degree from K-State in December 2011 in business financial services and controllership.
After graduating, Klein spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons on the K-state sidelines, but left in 2016 because no full-time jobs were available on Bill Snyder’s staff. He went on to serve as the quarterbacks coach at Northern Iowa for one year. Now, he and his family are coming back.
“Shalin and I are very excited to come back home,” said Klein. “I’m very grateful to Coach Farley and UNI for the experience and opportunity they provided me this past year. Looking ahead, I am eager to get to work with and develop the great young talent at K-State. I am thankful to Coach Snyder for the opportunity to return to a place that I love while learning and growing under his leadership.”
“Collin is a great person: caring, loyal, hard-working, responsible and disciplined,” Snyder continued. “He will be received well by his peers, players and support staff, as will his lovely wife Shalin. Collin has a love and passion, not only for football, but even more so for guiding youth toward successful lives.”
During his previous two seasons on staff at K-State, Klein helped guide Jake Waters to a school record 3,501 passing yards in 2014 and assisted Joe Hubener and Kody Cook in leading the Wildcats to a bowl in 2015 by splitting time at quarterback.
Klein is married to the former Shalin Spani, a former Wildcat women’s basketball player and the daughter of Kansas State and College Football Hall of Famer Gary Spani.
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