ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit delivered pointed advice for Kansas State head coach Collin Klein, emphasizing that building a championship-caliber program requires more than chasing high-profile recruits or transfer portal stars.
Herbstreit highlighted recent examples from programs like Miami, Ole Miss, and Indiana, showing that rapid success is possible when teams combine talent with culture, structure, and identity. He stressed that Kansas State must focus on recruiting players who fit the Wildcats’ system and contribute to a cohesive, disciplined team rather than relying solely on individual star power.
“You can’t just chase five-star players and hope to get here,” Herbstreit said, via On3 Sports. “You have to build a team. You have to find players who want to be part of what you’re creating. … Use the portal if you need it, but it’s about building a roster with identity and balance.”
Kansas State hired Collin Klein in the first week of December to lead the Wildcats into the 2026 season. Klein inherits a program active in the transfer portal, and Herbstreit warned that focusing only on talent without cohesion or culture could limit long-term success, a lesson evident across modern college football programs.
Programs like Indiana, Miami, and Ole Miss demonstrate that rapid turnarounds are possible—but only when leadership, discipline, and culture are prioritized alongside talent. Herbstreit believes that if Klein and Kansas State follow this blueprint, the Wildcats can achieve balance, consistency, and sustained success at the highest level.
