Offensive coordinator Collin Klein to remain at Kansas State

We had shared it on Friday morning that it was headed in that direction, but Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein has turned down the same position at Notre Dame to remain as the primary play-caller at his alma-mater.

It was also reported by ESPN’s Heather Dinich.

K-State OC Collin Klein is no longer a candidate for the ND OC position. He did have conversations and interview, according to sources.

— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) February 10, 2023

In the past week, Klein had spoken with Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame multiple times about the offensive coordinator position that was vacated by Tommy Rees after he exited his alma-mater to accept the same role for Nick Saban at Alabama.

Along with the K-State offensive coordinator, the Fighting Irish have also explored Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis and Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. But it was the Kansas State assistant that had gathered the most steam after a mid-week interview.

Klein returned to Manhattan on Thursday to determine his future and ultimately chose to remain with the Wildcats after some conversations with those around him, including his family, friends and, more importantly, his players.

Just like Garrett Riley, who left TCU for the offensive coordinator job at Clemson, Klein became a household name after just one year as the primary play-caller and offensive coordinator of a Big 12 program.

He had worked at K-State under Bill Snyder, for whom he also played for, and was retained by Chris Klieman when he was hired to be the new boss in Manhattan. Klein is still the only holdover at Kansas State.

Klein had to take his turn before his star was born. He was just a quarterbacks coach under Snyder before being given a co-offensive coordinator title alongside Andre Coleman and Charlie Dickey. But the primary play-caller was Coleman.

He was just the quarterbacks coach at K-State in Klieman’s first three seasons before being promoted after they dismissed Courtney Messingham following the 2021 season. And that all culminated in a Big 12 Championship during Klein’s first year as the leader of the Kansas State offense.

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