By Kellis Robinett The Wichita Eagle
Kansas State head football coach Collin Klein has agreed to a contract that will pay him at least $21.5 million over the next five years.
But he could earn much more.
Klein’s contract, which includes an average base salary of $4.3 million per year, is big on bonuses.
Here is the most notable one of all: Klein can twice trigger an automatic oneyear extension by guiding the Wildcats to six wins and then playing in a bowl game. The first time that happens, Klein’s salary will increase to $4.6 million during the 2031 season. The second time it happens, his salary will jump to $4.7 million in 2032.
That bonus is capped at two.
Former K-State coach Chris Klieman had a similar clause in his contract, but it was triggered after winning eight games in a season and the salary for his first extension year was set to be $6.5 million. Klieman’s salary was $5.25 million this year.
Klein’s starting salary for the 2026 season will be $4.1 million. That number will increase by $100,000 every year he remains on the job until it reaches $4.5 million in 2030.
He can also earn a wide variety of other performance- based bonuses.
For playoffs and bowls ... * $1 million for winning a national championship * $600,000 for reaching the semifinals of the College Football Playoff * $400,000 for reaching the quarterfinals of the CFP * $200,000 for making the CFP * $50,000 for playing in any bowl game For Big 12 finishes ... * $250,000 for finishing in first place (solo or tied) in the Big 12 standings * $100,000 for finishing in second place For a conference championship ... * $200,000 for winning the Big 12 championship game For coaching awards ... * $50,000 for winning a national Coach of the Year award * $25,000 for winning Big 12 Coach of the Year For finishing the season ranked ... * $50,000 for a top 10 finish in the final AP or CFP rankings * $25,000 for a top 25 finish Klein is only eligible for one bonus in each category per season. In other words, K-State will only pay him for his best achievements, not every single one along the way. The highest bonus amount he can earn in any given season is $1.55 million.
The former K-State quarterback will also receive $20,000 in moving expenses, a yearly vehicle fee of $15,000, a family membership to Manhattan Country Club, golfing privileges at Colbert Hills, the use of a suite at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and up to 20 hours of private airplane use per year.
