Candidates beginning to emerge for Collin Klein’s coaching staff at Kansas State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Christian Ellsworth is set to join Collin Klein’s K-State staff next season.
- Klein may target Texas A&M assistants Josh Buford, Scotty Ohara, Jordan Peterson.
- Trey Scott looms as possible general manager while Stanton Weber may fit special teams.
Collin Klein is in the early stages of building his football coaching staff at Kansas State, but a few names are beginning to emerge as likely candidates to join him next season at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
One name already appears to be locked in.
Christian Ellsworth, who is currently coaching tight ends alongside Klein at Texas A&M, has reportedly decided to become an assistant coach at K-State after the conclusion of this season, according to CBS Sports.
He is an obvious coach for Klein to target, as they have plenty of experience together. Ellsworth worked as a graduate assistant at K-State in 2020 and 2021 when Klein was on staff working under Chris Klieman. He also played for Klein when Klein spent one season as the quarterbacks coach at Northern Iowa.
Ellsworth also spent time as an offensive analyst at South Carolina and Nebraska.
This season, Texas A&M tight ends Theo Melin Ohrstrom (18 catches for 167 yards and a touchdowns), Nate Boerkircher (17 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns) and Amari Niblack (five catches for 69 yards) all played integral roles while Klein called plays as offensive coordinator.
It is unclear if Ellsworth will continue coaching tight ends or switch to another role at K-State.
A few other names have emerged as logical options in Manhattan.
Josh Buford could also follow Klein from Texas A&M to K-State. Buford was previously an analyst at K-State, and he moved with Klein to College Station when Klein left to become Mike Elko’s offensive coordinator. It would make sense for Klein to want his right-hand man with him at K-State.
Buford is currently an offensive analyst at Texas A&M. He has experience working with K-State quarterback Avery Johnson.
Scotty Ohara could also make the jump from Texas A&M to K-State. Ohara is currently an offensive quality control coach for the Aggies. He previously has worked at K-State and UTEP with the late Dana Dimel.
Klein’s coaching staff at K-State is expected to have some Texas A&M flavor. With that in mind, Aggies co-defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson could be on Klein’s short list for defensive assistants. He has previously worked for Fresno State, New Mexico and Kansas.
Looking elsewhere, it will come as a surprise if Stanton Weber is not on his staff in some capacity. The former K-State wide receiver has been special teams coordinator at Toledo since 2023, and he would be a natural fit to help Klein in that area next season.
With Toledo head coach Jason Candle recently switching jobs to UConn, now could be a good time for him to return to his alma mater. Weber and Klein have been friends for years. Weber’s father, Stan, is part of the K-State radio team.
Though he won’t be a coach, On3 has reported that Trey Scott is a prime candidate to take over as Klein’s general manager at K-State. Scott is a former reserve K-State quarterback who has professional experience as both an agent and a football scout in the NFL.
At least one member of Klein’s staff has already been confirmed. K-State director of recruiting Taylor Braet will stay on in a similar role moving forward. Braet flew to College Station last week as part of the K-State team that picked Klein and his family up at the airport.
When asked if that meant Braet was being retained, Klein said: “Of course. I don’t think I can find a way to get rid of him.”
Klein may opt to retain a few other members of the current K-State coaching staff. But most are expected to be on the move.
Last week, Klein said he planned to take a patient approach when it came to building his coaching staff in Manhattan.
“I don’t want to rush,” Klein said. “I want to make sure we get it right. I want to make sure we get the right fits, the right continuity, the right pieces in place that complement each other to make sure that we can get where we want to go.”
This story was originally published December 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM.