Kansas State coach Collin Klein wants to hit the ground running in his return to Manhattan, KS. While no one truly expects the team to shift completely in Klein's first season, there are things they can do to "win" in his first year. He had three simple tasks for his players to make his job easier in 2026.
"Block, tackle, and finish," Klein said in a recent interview. "We need to fundamentally improve how we block, tackle, and then get our motor ramped up for how hard we play collectively on both sides. If we walk out of those 15 practices with those three things, I think we've got a chance to be pretty good."
Very simple advice, but very necessary considering how last season went for the Wildcats. Missed tackles, poor offensive line play in the ground game, and just overall underwhelming performances caused the 2025 season to unravel. They not only lowered the preseason hopes of winning the conference, but also lost the program's identity. Kansas State is typically a hard-hitting physical team defined by strong defenses and solid rushing attacks. Without either, the team fell way off track.
That's one of the biggest goals for Klein as he steps into the mantle. The traits that have made the Wildcats successful and such a Big 12 staple need to be reinstated for future success.
"We’re gonna be a blue-collar outfit," Klein said. "We’re gonna work extremely hard, we’re gonna have a very high level of preparation, and we’re gonna be a disciplined, tough physical ball club. I think I’ve kind of said it a couple of times, but we’re gonna be the new old school. From a conditioning work winter program, summer program, fall camp, we’re gonna embody the values that have made this place successful for a very long time."
Klein stamped this precedent since his first day back in the program, and he will continue to preach it throughout the season.
"You look at toughness, the mental and intestinal fortitude to play this game of football the way that it needs to be played, is different," Klein said in his opening coaching press conference. "That’s bred and will continue to be bred into every single Kansas State Wildcat. You talk about physicality. Some people like to visit physicality, we live there."
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