K-State Offense Coming Together Under Direction of Klein
Aug 16, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
The dry-erase board in the Vanier Family Football Complex has remained pretty active under Kansas State first-year offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
"Sometimes you get a little creative and the staff kind of brings you back down a little bit like, 'Hey, let's be realistic,' but it's a credit to our guys in the staff," Klein said following a fall camp practice on Monday. "We're pressing forward and trying to expand and do a lot of things and put pressure on people within what we do. It's been a lot of fun, but we have great support and a great staff. It's been good."
Although Klein apparently only scratched the surface when he served as interim offensive coordinator during K-State's 42-20 win over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on January 4, the Wildcats scored their most points all season, and everything seemed to click together at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Now in a full-time role, Klein hopes his new offense can cause defenses even more fits this fall.
The offense appears versatile, according to players, carrying the capacity to huddle or not huddle and to play up-tempo — a mixture that the Wildcats hope will baffle opponents as the season opens against South Dakota on September 3 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
"They've just jumped in and have attacked the new stuff we're asking (of them)," Klein said. "That's been the most impressive thing because we've stressed them and have adjusted our install on some things and really frontloaded it, so they had a lot on their plate right from the jump.
"They got after it."
The 32-year-old Klein "commands the room" in the eyes of fourth-year K-State head coach Chris Klieman.
"I know Coach Klein is excited for the opportunity and I'm excited for him," Klieman said. "It's going to be really neat to watch him grow in the position and watch him put his own spin on it and take his own ownership. He commands the room, there's no question about that. The guys respond to him.
"We have really good chemistry on that offensive staff that I'm excited to work with him and see how those guys grow together."
Klein, the 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist, guided K-State to 38.8 points per game his senior season. Since then, the Wildcats have averaged more than 30 points per game in four other seasons over the past decade.
"I'm really excited about some of the stuff we have cooking for this season," said senior transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez, who left Nebraska to join the Wildcats in the spring. "(Klein) is really creative and making sure we utilize all our weapons."
It's no secret that the top threat is Consensus All-American Deuce Vaughn, who is considered by Pro Football Focus to be the best returning running back in the country. Klein and the offensive coaches spent hours during the offseason finding new ways to get Vaughn the football.
Vaughn continues to make Martinez eager to begin his first and only season with the Wildcats.
"There's little moments either in person or while watching film back and you're like, 'I don't think there's anybody else who can make that cut,'" Martinez said. "I think we'll take our chances with Deuce in space.
"I'm excited to see him in action."
Meanwhile, Klein is excited to see Martinez's growth within the offensive system.
"(Martinez) has gotten better in two weeks and has gotten more comfortable in what we're asking him to do," Klein said. "He's been awesome."
K-State offers Martinez some veteran pass-catching targets in wide receivers Phillip Brooks, Malik Knowles and Kade Warner. While Vaughn (49 catches) is the top-returning pass catcher, Brooks had the most productive season among wide receivers last season with 43 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns.
"Phillip works his tail off," Klein said. "I feel he's even taken another step in this camp. He's playing with an edge. He's really playing with an edge and like a seasoned four-year player does, and he's been awesome in that room."
Apparently, Warner has stepped up among the wide receivers as well.
"He picked up this offense really quick," Brooks said. "He's a really smart guy. Having that football intelligence in the locker room has taken our offense to the next level."
After opening the season against South Dakota, the Wildcats meet former Big 12 foe Missouri and close out the non-conference slate against Tulane. K-State then embarks upon its league schedule with a trip to No. 9 Oklahoma.
K-State traditionally has boasted a mostly balanced offense. In 2019, K-State had 2,352 passing yards and 2,314 rushing yards, and the Wildcats haven't strayed from that formula. It will be interesting to see how this offense takes flight, particularly with the bevy of receiving threats, including Vaughn.
"This group has been on a learning curve really since January," Klein said, "but we're attacking it every day and working together and as some of those (offensive) situations take a little bit better shape in us becoming a little bit more of who we are, we'll find a vein or a section of who we're going to be, and help find that (offensive) identity."
Klein called being the offensive coordinator "an honor," adding that "it's playing quarterback without playing quarterback a little bit, so that part of it has been fun."
"I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing everything I possibly can for the rest of our staff offensively and for our guys to give them the best chance to be successful — whatever it takes to not let them down in that way and make sure we're doing everything we can to put us in the best position," Klein said. "That's the most important thing. We'll have fun being excellent along the way."
The dry-erase board in the Vanier Family Football Complex has remained pretty active under Kansas State first-year offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
"Sometimes you get a little creative and the staff kind of brings you back down a little bit like, 'Hey, let's be realistic,' but it's a credit to our guys in the staff," Klein said following a fall camp practice on Monday. "We're pressing forward and trying to expand and do a lot of things and put pressure on people within what we do. It's been a lot of fun, but we have great support and a great staff. It's been good."
Although Klein apparently only scratched the surface when he served as interim offensive coordinator during K-State's 42-20 win over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl on January 4, the Wildcats scored their most points all season, and everything seemed to click together at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Now in a full-time role, Klein hopes his new offense can cause defenses even more fits this fall.
The offense appears versatile, according to players, carrying the capacity to huddle or not huddle and to play up-tempo — a mixture that the Wildcats hope will baffle opponents as the season opens against South Dakota on September 3 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
"They've just jumped in and have attacked the new stuff we're asking (of them)," Klein said. "That's been the most impressive thing because we've stressed them and have adjusted our install on some things and really frontloaded it, so they had a lot on their plate right from the jump.
"They got after it."
The 32-year-old Klein "commands the room" in the eyes of fourth-year K-State head coach Chris Klieman.
"I know Coach Klein is excited for the opportunity and I'm excited for him," Klieman said. "It's going to be really neat to watch him grow in the position and watch him put his own spin on it and take his own ownership. He commands the room, there's no question about that. The guys respond to him.
"We have really good chemistry on that offensive staff that I'm excited to work with him and see how those guys grow together."
Klein, the 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist, guided K-State to 38.8 points per game his senior season. Since then, the Wildcats have averaged more than 30 points per game in four other seasons over the past decade.
"I'm really excited about some of the stuff we have cooking for this season," said senior transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez, who left Nebraska to join the Wildcats in the spring. "(Klein) is really creative and making sure we utilize all our weapons."
It's no secret that the top threat is Consensus All-American Deuce Vaughn, who is considered by Pro Football Focus to be the best returning running back in the country. Klein and the offensive coaches spent hours during the offseason finding new ways to get Vaughn the football.
Vaughn continues to make Martinez eager to begin his first and only season with the Wildcats.
"There's little moments either in person or while watching film back and you're like, 'I don't think there's anybody else who can make that cut,'" Martinez said. "I think we'll take our chances with Deuce in space.
"I'm excited to see him in action."
Meanwhile, Klein is excited to see Martinez's growth within the offensive system.
"(Martinez) has gotten better in two weeks and has gotten more comfortable in what we're asking him to do," Klein said. "He's been awesome."
K-State offers Martinez some veteran pass-catching targets in wide receivers Phillip Brooks, Malik Knowles and Kade Warner. While Vaughn (49 catches) is the top-returning pass catcher, Brooks had the most productive season among wide receivers last season with 43 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns.
"Phillip works his tail off," Klein said. "I feel he's even taken another step in this camp. He's playing with an edge. He's really playing with an edge and like a seasoned four-year player does, and he's been awesome in that room."
Apparently, Warner has stepped up among the wide receivers as well.
"He picked up this offense really quick," Brooks said. "He's a really smart guy. Having that football intelligence in the locker room has taken our offense to the next level."
After opening the season against South Dakota, the Wildcats meet former Big 12 foe Missouri and close out the non-conference slate against Tulane. K-State then embarks upon its league schedule with a trip to No. 9 Oklahoma.
K-State traditionally has boasted a mostly balanced offense. In 2019, K-State had 2,352 passing yards and 2,314 rushing yards, and the Wildcats haven't strayed from that formula. It will be interesting to see how this offense takes flight, particularly with the bevy of receiving threats, including Vaughn.
"This group has been on a learning curve really since January," Klein said, "but we're attacking it every day and working together and as some of those (offensive) situations take a little bit better shape in us becoming a little bit more of who we are, we'll find a vein or a section of who we're going to be, and help find that (offensive) identity."
Klein called being the offensive coordinator "an honor," adding that "it's playing quarterback without playing quarterback a little bit, so that part of it has been fun."
"I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing everything I possibly can for the rest of our staff offensively and for our guys to give them the best chance to be successful — whatever it takes to not let them down in that way and make sure we're doing everything we can to put us in the best position," Klein said. "That's the most important thing. We'll have fun being excellent along the way."
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