# Kansas State football coaching debut and season opener > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kansas-state-football-coaching-transition > Updated: 2026-09-05T23:09:29.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3. Kansas State football entered its preseason camp under head coach Collin Klein, with the program viewed by analysts as a potential Big 12 contender. Klein reported satisfaction with player retention and the team’s momentum following the first week of camp. Klein officially began his tenure as head coach with a dominant 71-3 victory over Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Quarterback Avery Johnson led the offense, throwing for 199 yards and four touchdowns in just over a half of play, setting a school record with 49 career passing touchdowns. Other notable contributors included Rodney Fields Jr., who rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, and Joe Jackson, who scored both on the ground and through the air. Jaron Tibbs and Josh Manning also recorded touchdown receptions. This victory marks Klein’s first game as head coach following his previous tenure as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Kansas State defeats Nicholls 71-3 in Collin Klein's coaching debut Kansas State defeated Nicholls 71-3 in the first game under head coach Collin Klein, led by Avery Johnson's four touchdown passes and a school-record 49th career passing touchdown. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kansas-state-defeats-nicholls-71-3-in-collin-kleins-coaching-debut ### 2026-09-03: Collin Klein begins head coaching tenure at Kansas State Collin Klein begins his first season as head coach of Kansas State football this Saturday in a season opener against Nicholls. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/collin-klein-begins-head-coaching-tenure-at-kansas-state ### 2026-08-11: Kansas State football enters preseason camp with Big 12 contender outlook Kansas State head coach Collin Klein and analyst Brett Cianca discuss the Wildcats' preseason progress and their potential as Big 12 contenders. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kansas-state-football-enters-preseason-camp-with-big-12-contender-outlook --- Cite as: Kansas State football coaching debut and season opener. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kansas-state-football-coaching-transition