It's been more than two months since Collin Klein has been the head coach at Kansas State.
And still, it hasn't quite synced in that he's leading the team he once started for. Klein sat down with KSNT on Monday morning to discuss his latest thoughts on taking on the mantle.
"No, [it hasn't] really [settled in]. It's been a fast-paced month, but getting the staff in place and the players on campus has really felt good," Klein said.
Klein played for the Wildcats for four seasons, amassing 4,724 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, while rushing for 2,485 yards and 56 touchdowns. He cemented himself as a legend for his 2012 Heisman campaign and Big 12 championship, as well as numerous statistical records.
"As players, you always think you're gonna play forever," Klein said. "So no, I didn't have that thought at the time. But having gotten into the profession, you always work toward the goal of becoming a head coach. Having that come to fruition in a place that I care so much about is just a tremendous blessing."
Klein recalled the first moments when athletic director Gene Taylor contacted him and gave him the starting role. Chris Klieman's retirement opened up a position for the Wildcats legend to replace. Klein had no hesitation getting to the helm.
"It happened within literally a day or two," Klein said. "Then all of a sudden, you’re flying up here for the press conference, working through those next phases, and then hitting the ground running with everything that goes into it from top to bottom and in the program. But again, I think that it was because of our history, our relationship, and my knowing the lay of the land here a little bit, we were able to get to work quickly."
Now, the real work begins. Klein has made some impressive hires in the coaching staff, bringing in coordinators with SEC or veteran experience. However, the team didn't make big splashes in the transfer portal window, losing a significant chunk of its star players. This makes a bounce-back effort even more difficult, as Klein's goal was to recover from last season's rollercoaster disaster.
Still, like most developmental processes, this will take time.
"I love challenges and doing hard things. Going to take this program where it’s never been is going to be hard. I want it to be hard, I want it to be difficult. We’re gonna attack it together as a staff, as a fanbase, and as an administration, and we’re gonna take this program where it hasn’t been before," Klein said in his introductory press conference.