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Former K-State star quarterback and current graduate assistant coach Collin Klein will become the new quarterbacks coach at the University of Northern Iowa, Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle reports. Robinett reports the deal isn't final yet, but an announcement is expected in the next few days.
Klein has spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant with the Wildcats. Officially, he was the assistant director of recruiting operations and defensive quality control coach, at least for the 2014 season, which was the last time his biography page was updated. Klein had a very brief professional career as a player in the CFL before returning to K-State.
Klein will join a UNI Panthers team that has ranked in the top 10 of FCS football the past two seasons under head coach Mark Farley. Klein appears set to work with returning starter Aaron Bailey, a senior who, like Klein in his playing days, presents a dual threat. In 2015, Bailey averaged 118 yards passing and 95 yards rushing per game, finishing the season with 13 passing and 19 rushing touchdowns.
On the surface, it looks like a good fit and a good place for Klein to climb up the next rung of the coaching ladder, preparing him to succeed Snyder at K-State.
Bring on the Cats wishes Collin the best of luck in this new step in his career.