Collin Klein hires Kansas State running backs coach with history in the Big 12
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- Collin Klein hires Cory Patterson as Kansas State running backs coach with Big 12 history.
- Patterson brings proven player development and St. Louis recruiting ties to K-State.
- He coached Chase Brown to NFL selection, helped OSU backs rush for 1,172 yards last year.
Collin Klein has added another assistant coach to his inaugural football staff at Kansas State.
The new hire has history in the Big 12.
Cory Patterson, who spent the past season working at Oklahoma State, will coach running backs for the Wildcats. Before his time with the Cowboys he previously worked at Illinois and Purdue.
“I am excited about the opportunity to do something special here at K-State,” Patterson said in a statement. “There has been a tradition of great running back play here, so we have to keep the party going.”
Prior to his time working in college, Patterson was a successful high school coach in the St. Louis area, first as an assistant at Christian Brothers and then Trinity Catholic. He won a state title as the head coach at Trinity Catholic.
His recruiting connections in St. Louis figure to be important for Klein and the Wildcats.
“Coach Patterson has a great history of developing talent,” Klein said in a statement. “His passion for people is infectious, and he is a big part of where we are going offensively.”
As a position coach, Patterson coached Chase Brown at Illinois. He was one of the most successful running backs in program history, as he combined for 2,648 yards and 15 touchdowns over the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Patterson tutoring him at practices. Brown went on to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he is currently the team’s starting running back.
Last season at Oklahoma State, Patterson helped five Cowboys running backs rush for a combined 1,172 yards and six touchdowns.
K-State has announced eight assistant coaches in addition to other staffers since Klein took over as head coach earlier this month.
More are on the way.
Jeremy Jacobs was also officially hired as strength and conditioning coach on Tuesday.
“Jeremy is one of the best strength coaches in the country,” Klein said. “He’s a great leader, disciplined, tough and builds great relationships with his players. He is a huge part of building our K-State culture.”
Brian Lepak is also expected to remain on staff as a position coach on the offensive side of the ball.
K-State football coach tracker
Head coach: Collin Klein
Defensive coordinator: Jordan Peterson
Co-defensive coordinator: Marcus Woodson
Defensive line: Buddy Wyatt
Linebackers: Nick Toth
Defensive backs: Jeremiah Johnson
Offensive coordinator: TBA
Offensive line: TBA
Running backs: Cory Patterson
Wide receivers: TBA
Tight ends: TBA
Quarterbacks: Christian Ellsworth
Special teams coordinator: Stanton Weber
General manager: Trey Scott
Director of strength and conditioning: Jeremy Jacobs
Director of recruiting: Taylor Braet
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 11:52 AM.