Jordan Peterson: Why jordan peterson is eager to lead Kansas State’s defense under Collin Klein
jordan peterson is the new defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Kansas State, brought in as Collin Klein rebuilds a staff to fix a defense that struggled in 2025. The move arrives as Kansas State aims to rebound in Manhattan after a rollercoaster 2025 season. The hire is intended to address a unit that was repeatedly gashed and lost several former stars.
Jordan Peterson’s defensive brief
jordan peterson joins a Kansas State staff tasked with immediate repair work. He spent the past two seasons at Texas A& M as defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator, and earlier served as Kansas’ safeties coach and defensive pass game coordinator from 2020 to 2023. His chronology also includes multiple roles at Fresno State (2012–16) and New Mexico (2017–19). Those stops frame the experience Klein’s staff is drawing on to retool a secondary and rebuild schematic depth.
Offense, staff and the plan in Manhattan
Collin Klein will serve as the primary play caller for the Wildcats’ offense and has brought in Sean Gleeson as offensive coordinator. Gleeson arrives after recent work as quarterbacks coach at Missouri and prior roles at Oklahoma State, Rutgers, Princeton and Northwestern, filling the vacancy left by Matt Wells. Wells’ play-calling was widely detested by Wildcats fans as the offense finished among the conference’s worst, a problem Klein and his new coordinators aim to fix.
Immediate reactions
Collin Klein, head coach, Kansas State, framed the hires as a sprint to regain competitiveness: “We’re gonna start fast and finish faster. In today’s world of college football, you have one year to develop this team. We’re gonna maximize every opportunity to the fullest, and we’re going to attack it right from the jump. The only way that you get better at playing football is by playing football. We’re gonna utilize every inch of capacity. ” Klein’s statement sets an aggressive timeline for the staff to produce on-field results.
Quick context
An analysis of major coordinator moves across the country highlighted Kansas State’s pair of new coordinators, stressing that both the defensive and offensive hires are part of a larger overhaul. The coordinators and several veteran assistants were recruited to help Klein push the program back toward conference contention.
What’s next
jordan peterson and Sean Gleeson will begin rebuilding units that underperformed in 2025, with Klein overseeing play calling and staff integration. The upcoming offseason and the first stretch of games will test the new staff’s ability to shore up the defense and revive an offense that struggled under the previous coordinator. Expect the Wildcats’ coaching changes to be evaluated quickly as the program pursues a rapid turnaround.
