Collin Klein announces new role for this K-State football assistant on his staff
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Buddy Wyatt will remain on Collin Klein’s football coaching staff.
- Klein has identified a few names to join his inaugural staff in Manhattan.
- Buddy Wyatt coached K-State great Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Collin Klein has decided to retain at least one of Kansas State’s assistant coaches as he continues to build a new football staff with the Wildcats.
Buddy Wyatt, who spent the past seven seasons coaching defensive ends under former head coach Chris Klieman, will return to Bill Snyder Family Stadium and serve in a new role next year.
Wyatt will coach the entire defensive line for Klein.
“I appreciate Collin placing his trust in me,” Wyatt said in a statement. “Kansas State has a strong tradition and culture, and I am excited to be a part of this staff. I look forward to helping our players and this program succeed.”
Before K-State hired Klein as its new head coach earlier this month, he spent five years working alongside Wyatt when they were both assistant coaches in Manhattan.
That familiarity, combined with Wyatt’s success with pass-rushers, made this an appealing hire for Klein.
“Buddy has a tremendous track record of developing young men,” Klein said. “I have always admired how he built genuine relationships with players and staff. He is of the highest character, and I am very excited he will be with us moving forward.”
Wyatt has guided K-State players to three Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors over his first seven seasons in Manhattan.
His greatest success story came with Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who blossomed into a first-round pick in the NFL Draft and currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. This past season, K-State defenders combined for 28 sacks with Cody Stufflebean and Tobi Osunsanmi leading the way on the defensive line.
With Wyatt on board, Klein has locked in a handful of names for his inaugural staff in Manhattan.
Trey Scott has been hired as the team’s new general manager, Stanton Weber is returning to his alma mater as special teams coordinator and Taylor Braet is staying on as a recruiting expert.
Texas A&M tight ends coach Christian Ellsworth and offensive analyst Josh Buford are expected to follow Klein to K-State. Texas A&M co-defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson is also considered a prime candidate to lead Klein’s defense with the Wildcats.
It is believed that offensive line coach Brian Lepak will also remain on Klein’s staff in some capacity, but K-State has not announced anything on that front. Last week, Klein informed assistant coaches Brian Anderson, Matthew Middleton, Luke Wells and Matt Wells that they would not be retained.
Former defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman has accepted the same job at Baylor. Former cornerbacks coach Van Malone is now the head coach at Hampton.