Kansas State has named former quarterback Collin Klein as its new head football coach. The announcement came Thursday from athletics director Gene Taylor. Klein, a 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist and longtime assistant, becomes the 36th head coach in program history.

Klein has agreed to a five-year contract worth an average of $4.3 million. He will finish the postseason as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M before beginning full duties at K-State. Klein previously spent nine seasons on the Wildcats’ staff, including two years guiding an offense that helped win the 2022 Big 12 title.

He is the first K-State alum to lead the program since the 1970s. As a player, Klein led the Wildcats to a 21-5 record and a Fiesta Bowl berth. His offenses as a coordinator produced some of the most efficient seasons in school history.

Klein will be formally introduced Friday at Morgan Family Arena, with the event streamed on ESPN+.