Jordan Peterson’s path to Kansas State has come full circle, and now he’s embracing it in purple.
After a whirlwind 36-hour stretch meeting players across the country, Peterson officially takes over as Kansas State’s defensive coordinator, reuniting with head coach Collin Klein after their successful stint together at Texas A&M. The two spent two seasons on the Aggies’ staff, where Klein served as offensive coordinator and Peterson worked as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
A Texas A&M alumnus and Lexington, Texas native, Peterson brings five years of coordinator experience and extensive familiarity with the Big 12. His coaching résumé includes stops at Fresno State, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas A&M, giving him a wide range of schematic and developmental experience. He also previously faced Kansas State both as a player and as a coach, including being on the sideline for the Wildcats’ memorable four-overtime win over the Aggies in 2011.
Peterson’s most recent defenses at Texas A&M were among the nation’s best. This past season, the Aggies ranked first nationally in third-down defense, second in sacks, third in tackles for loss, and finished inside the top 25 in several major defensive categories, helping power an 11–2 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.
Now in Manhattan, Peterson says his approach will be rooted in leadership, relationships, and service. He describes his philosophy as a “servant mentality,” emphasizing trust, teaching, and player empowerment. His defensive identity centers on speed, physicality, effort, and aggression—what he calls a “MOB mentality.”
Schematically, Peterson plans to base the Wildcats out of a four-man front, while incorporating multiple looks to keep offenses off balance. His goal is to simplify responsibilities for defenders while creating complexity for opposing quarterbacks through varied coverages and pressure packages.
With the transfer portal reshaping college football rosters nationwide, Peterson has already been heavily involved in retaining current players and identifying new defensive additions. He believes adaptability and decisiveness are critical in today’s environment, stressing that Kansas State will prioritize players who are fully bought into the program’s culture and vision.
Peterson says working under Klein—whom he describes as a steady, genuine leader with deep roots at Kansas State—made the move an easy decision. Now settled in Manhattan with his family, Peterson is eager to help restore a defensive identity long associated with toughness, grit, and relentless effort.
“It’s an honor,” Peterson said. “This place has a tradition, and our job is to put that identity back on the field.”
