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Grading the hire: Kansas State couldn't find a better fit than Collin Klein
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- Grading the hire: Kansas State couldn't find a better fit than Collin Klein
Collin Klein won a Big 12 championship as Kansas State 's quarterback. Now the favorite son is back to lead the Wildcats program from the sideline.
Klein is replacing Chris Klieman , who announced his retirement Dec. 3 after seven seasons in Manhattan. Klein spent the past two seasons as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator.
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"This has been such a dream come true on so many levels," Klein said . "This is incredible."
College football coaching grades: Grading each hire, how they fit
Collin Klein reaction: Kansas State is being praised nationally for hire
Here's how we grade the hire:
Grade: B+
We hear a lot about fit, when schools hire coaches. Well, you can't find a better fit for Kansas State than Klein, a former Heisman Trophy finalist. He played for Bill Snyder, starring as K-State's quarterback. He coached under Chris Klieman, the man he's replacing after Klieman's sudden retirement at age 58. Klein knows this program.
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Go beyond fit, though, and you'll see a rising talent who'd earned an opportunity to be a coach. Klein's work as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator positioned the Aggies for the College Football Playoff, and he developed Marcel Reed.
Klein leaving Klieman's staff a couple of years ago for Texas A&M improved his credentials. His years running an offense inside the SEC means he's returning to Kansas State with a more complete resume.
If Kansas State hadn't hired Klein, 36, someone else probably would have soon.
Kansas State is a tougher job than Snyder and Klieman often made it look, so Klein will have his work cut out for him as a first-time coach.
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This hire marks a pivot from Kansas State's hiring approach with Klieman, who'd already proven himself by winning four FCS national championships in five seasons coaching North Dakota State.
Hiring the famed alumnus doesn't always work, as Nebraska and Scott Frost can attest, but, for Kansas State, it makes sense to give Klein his shot.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kansas State football hires Collin Klein as coach. Expert grades move
