MANHATTAN — When Chris Klieman walked into Gene Taylor's office earlier in the week to inform him that he intended to retire after seven seasons as Kansas State 's football coach, he told the athletic director who he needed to hire to replace him.

"He told me that, 'Gene, I think you need to call Collin Klein, because I think he's the next person that needs to lead our football program,'" Taylor said.

Klein worked under Klieman for several years before the legendary K-State quarterback left to take the offensive coordinator job at Texas A&M . During his two years in College Station, Klein made his name known as one of the best play-callers in the nation, and someone who was worthy of becoming a head coach.

A few days after Klieman advised Taylor to make the call , Klein stood on

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