Top 3 Takes: Colin Klein’s Week 4 Presser

With the Cats first conference matchup on the horizon, here are the top takeaways from Collin Klein’s time with the media:

1. Coach Klein’s adjustment to road trip duties

A lot of questions toward Coach Klein were obviously pointed towards his first game on the road as head coach. As an offensive coordinator, Klein’s obligations on a road trip were mainly game focused and player focused. He had to prepare his gameplan, make sure his players are well rested and find his press box on gameday.

Now, as the man in charge, Klein has a lot more responsibilities for the road trip with the team. “I think there’s a little logistical acclimatization that takes place when you get into a new stadium,” said Klein. “Where are the play clocks, where is our home sideline? Some of those things you can’t take for granted.”

Klein’s new found responsibilities don’t stop with the little things on gameday. On top of his duty to coach the players, he also plays a big role in figuring out the travel plans. “How much weight is on the plane, where the seats are, how many buses you need, the time in between, the itinerary of when we start to kick to warmups to all of that stuff.”

Coach Klein has been very vocal about his focus on discipline and attention to detail on the field. But now, Klein has a lot of details to iron out in order to simply make it onto the field. It may seem small, but it could be another test for the young coach to practice preparation.

2. Klein’s work with the defense.

Coach Klein has been regarded as one of the best offensive coordinators in both the Big 12 and SEC in his time with K-State and Texas A&M. With that reputation comes the expectation that Klein’s focus is going to revolve around Avery Johnson and the offense. Though he may spend a lot of his time on that side of the gridiron, he still has to pay a lot of attention to his defense as well.

Collin Klein brings an interesting perspective to the defensive side of the ball. Being a former Heisman finalist and Snyder product, Klein grew an ability to read defenses really well. That ability is something that gives him a unique perspective on his own defense, one that he and Jordan Peterson talk about often. “Coach Peterson and I, we touch base every night,” said Klein. “I watch the practice and be able to see how we’re building things so that everybody’s on the same page and I can try and help and troubleshoot from my perspective.”

3. Klein’s thoughts on the game against Cincinnati

Coach Klein’s first look at Big 12 play will come against a Cincinnati Bearcats’ offense that is 18th in scoring offense, 22nd in total offense and 11th in sacks allowed. The Bearcats enter Saturday with an elite offensive line protecting an elite run game, something that Coach Klein is well aware of. “It’s going to be a big challenge for us,” said Klein. “They’re very athletic, they’re long and like I said, Coach Satterfield and his staff have run the ball very effectively for a long time.”

With this Saturday’s matchup against the Bearcats, Klein wants his Cats to mentally stay the course from the past three weeks. “It’s about composure, it’s about mental toughness. It’s about the consistency of competitive nature that we have through the ups and the downs that these football games will take,”said Klein. Coach had often stressed the need for consistency and discipline, but this will be the first time Klein really gets the chance to put his philosophy to the test in a new environment.