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The Topeka Capital Journal
Collin Klein contract details at Kansas State, salary, buyout, bonuses
- Story byThe Topeka Capital Journal
- Collin Klein contract details at Kansas State, salary, buyout, bonuses
MANHATTAN — Kansas State football coach Collin Klein signed a five-year deal with the school that will pay him an average base salary of $4.3 million.
The deal runs through 2030, but can be extended by a year for the first two seasons in which Klein leads the Wildcats to six or more wins .
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The average base salary would rank 56th among the highest-paid coaches in college football, according to the USA TODAY Head Coach Salaries database, which was updated in October. It ranks just below Mississippi State's Jeff Lebby and ahead of UCF's Scott Frost.
Former coach Chris Klieman earned $5.25 million as Kansas State's football coach in 2025 , ranking 46th among head coaches nationwide.
Here's a look at Klein's deal with the Wildcats:
What is Collin Klein's salary with Kansas State football?
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2026 —$4.1 million
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2027 —$4.2 million
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2028 —$4.3 million
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2029 —$4.4 million
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2030 —$4.5 million
WITH TWO SIX-PLUS WIN EXTENSIONS
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2031 —$4.6 million
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2032 —$4.7 million
What is Collin Klein's buyout?
If Klein were to be bought out without cause, Kansas State would owe him 75% of his then-remaining and unpaid base salary through the end of the then-current term.
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After 2026 season —$13.05 million
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After 2027 season —$9.9 million
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After 2028 season —$6,675,000
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After 2029 season —$3,375,000
If Klein were to be bought out, his contract includes a clause requiring the coach to make an effort to find other employment at market rate. K-State could adjust the amount of compensation it owes based on the new employment.
What are Collin Klein's incentives?
Collin Klein would receive the following bonuses if he achieves the following goals:
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$200,000 if K-State wins the Big 12 championship
One of the following
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$250,000 if team finishes first or tied for first in the conference
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$100,000 if team finishes second in the conference
One of the following
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$1 million for College Football Playoff national championship
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$600,000 if team wins a CFP semifinal game
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$400,000 if team wins a CFP quarterfinal
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$200,000 for a CFP appearance
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$50,000 for a non-CFP bowl
One of the following
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$25,000 if named conference coach of the year
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$50,000 if named Walter Camp, Eddie Robinson or Bear Bryant National Coach of the Year
One of the following
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$25,000 if team is ranked in Top 25 of final AP or CFP rankings
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$50,000 if team finishes in Top 10 of final AP or CFP rankings
What are Collin Klein's other benefits?
Klein will receive an annual vehicle and insurance stipend of $15,000.
He will also have family golfing privileges at Colbert Hills Golf Course and a full family membership in the Manhattan Country Club, including golf privileges and use of a cart.
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Klein will have use of the Westside Suite at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, including 12 tickets and suite passes, full catering, eight season tickets in the general stadium, and two parking passes.
Klein's wife is allowed to travel with him for business and team travel, as well as his children.
He will also receive six season tickets for both men's and women's basketball games. He will also be entitled to up to 20 hours of private airplane use per year.
What if Collin Klein were to leave on his own terms?
Klein would owe the following if he were to leave on his own terms:
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Prior to Dec. 31, 2026 —$5 million
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Prior to Dec. 31, 2027 —$4 million
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Prior to Dec. 31, 2028 —$3 million
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Prior to Dec. 31, 2029 —$2 million
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Prior to Dec. 1, 2030 —$1 million
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After Dec. 2, 2030 —$0
If Klein wins six or more games twice, the dates above would be extended by one year.
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This story has been updated to correct the buyout figures
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_ , contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Collin Klein contract at Kansas State coach salary, buyout, incentives
