Kansas State has finalized two-year contracts for head coach Collin Klein and 10 of his assistant coaches, signaling a full start to the Klein era in Manhattan. The total salary commitment for the football staff reaches at least $8.2 million for the 2026 season, with Klein’s base salary alone set at $4.1 million, ranking 10th among Big 12 head coaches.
The assistant coaches’ deals run through Feb. 28, 2028, and include annual raises for select positions, performance bonuses, and fringe benefits such as vehicle stipends, moving expenses, and access to K-State facilities. Key salaries include Jordan Peterson at $900,000 (defensive coordinator), Thad Ward at $525,000 (wide receivers), and Mike Schmidt at $500,000 (offensive line). Several assistants, including Marcus Woodson, Cory Patterson, and Jeremiah Johnson, will see increases in Year 2 of their contracts.
These contracts come as Kansas State works to fill the offensive coordinator position and finalize salaries for defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt and tight ends coach Brian Lepak. With those additions, the total coaching payroll could approach $10 million, roughly matching the staff salaries under former head coach Chris Klieman.
The deals include performance-based bonuses ranging from $15,000 for reaching a six-win season to $80,000 for a national championship. Additional incentives reward top-10 and top-5 final rankings. Early contract termination requires two months’ salary as a buyout, except if a coach leaves for an NFL job or a head coaching position.
With these contracts finalized, the Wildcats now have a clearly structured staff, combining stability with flexibility to reward on-field success as the Collin Klein era officially begins.
