Collin Klein’s latest play calling move demands precision on the sidelines

Kansas State head coach Collin Klein’s latest move might surprise you. Instead of taking on a traditional role and leaving the play calling to his staff, he’s opted to do it himself – from the sidelines. 

If it works, the payoff could be huge. But in the long run, is it really the right move?

Collin Klein’s past gives him ample reason to call plays at Kansas State

Calling plays isn’t automatically a head coach’s job. In most programs at the college level, that responsibility belongs to the offensive or defensive coordinators. But what happens when someone like Collin Klein enters the picture? The move becomes far less surprising.

Klein isn’t just another former assistant. He was a Heisman finalist at Kansas State in 2012 and the Wildcats’ starting quarterback for two seasons. In his senior season, he threw for 2,641 yards and 16 touchdowns. For a lack of better words, Klein was the fuel to the Wildcats' offense – and he understands exactly how it’s supposed to operate.

The decision to call plays himself? It’s not out of character. After all, Klein already spent four years calling plays at Kansas State as a quarterbacks coach before moving on to Texas A&M as an offensive coordinator.

His experience leading the offense and mastering offensive play calling helped craft a high-powered offense that didn't just put up big numbers. It won games – experience that makes his decision a no-brainer.

Coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban have taken similar approaches, choosing control over delegation when it comes to their side of the ball. At his core, that’s how Klein has always done it.

He commanded the huddle as a player. Now, as a head coach, he’s doing the same with the play sheet.

Where play calling optimism meets a real challenge

More often than not, a head coach’s primary responsibility is game management. Timeouts, clock management, challenges, in-game communication, the whole nine yards. Throw playcalling into the mix, and there’s very little room for error.

But make no mistake: Klein will be on the sideline, not hundreds of feet up in the press box like in previous seasons.

According to an earlier report from the Wichita Eagle, scouting tendencies will be handled by Offensive Coordinator Sean Gleason. Pulling this off requires a “head on a swivel” approach, constantly juggling play calling, clock management, and sideline communication all at once.

If the sideline gets chaotic, players lose focus. When tensions flare, things can get ugly. That’s where coaches like Klein risk tunnel vision. For success, there’s no margin for error.

There’s time to figure out if this is the right move

All three nonconference football games this season play in the Wildcats’ favor. Their first three contests against Nicholls, Washington State and Tulane are all played at home. Everything is on Klein’s side – the crowd, the odds, everything. Even if something goes wrong in-game, there’s time to fix it without the pressure of losing big games. 

That’s where things get tricky; two of the first three conference games are also on the road. If the system is going to work, it needs to work outside The Little Apple, and against the biggest names in the Big 12.

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