Avery Johnson Seems More Than Happy With His New Coaching Staff

Collin Klein and Kansas State have a plan for fourth-year quarterback Avery Johnson.

Meeting with reporters on Thursday, Johnson spoke publicly about Klein’s hire as the next Wildcats head coach and having one of the state’s foremost quarterback names in charge after spending two seasons with Mike Elko at Texas A&M.

Wyatt Wheeler of the Topeka Capital-Journal uploaded the full interview here.

Klein was part of Johnson’s recruitment out of Derby High School in Derby, Kansas, when the former Kansas State quarterback was still part of the Chris Kleiman coaching staff as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

That connection was essential to keeping Johnson on campus.

Avery Johnson’s High Praise for Collin Klein

“Coming out of high school, (Klein) was the main reason, one of them, why I chose to come and play here,” Johnson said. “It hurt whenever he left and went to Texas A&M, I think it’s all in God’s timing and God’s bringing us back together and our story’s still unfinished.”

In his final season at A&M, Klein led an offense worth 3,378 total passing yards and another 2,401 on the ground. Marcel Reed threw for 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 picks.

Of the Klein system, Johnson said he’s excited to see what it breeds in his final season of eligibility with an offense featuring three brand new transfers at wide receiver. Missouri transfer and former four-star recruit Joshua Manning is part of that package; former Aggie Izaiah Williams and Hawaii transfer Brandon White are also new to the room.

“I think just him allowing me to play with my instincts and not be robotic out there,” Johnson said. “If I see green grass, take green grass (and) call another play. And then, just being able to dial some stuff up he’s great at scheming things and really just an offensive mastermind.”

New Faces for K-State

Jayce Brown, Kansas State’s leading receiver with 41 catches for 712 yards and five touchdowns last season, transferred to LSU this offseason. The Wildcats lost four different receivers and 32 total to the transfer portal following Kleiman’s resignation.

Sean Gleeson will lead the offense under Klein this season, which makes for a tricky balance after welcoming a handful of returners and newcomers to a new system this spring.

The returning compliment of talent includes senior tight end Garrett Oakley, senior wideout Jaron Tibbs and leading rusher Joe Jackson (169 carries, 911 yards, eight touchdowns). The Wildcats added three running backs, including Oregon transfer and former three-star recruit Jay Harris, this offseason, too.

Needless to say, there’s a lot of alignment needed before Week 1. Johnson isn’t shying away from that reality, but the returning senior leaves spring ball pleased with what he sees.

“Really with how the transfer portal is, it’s just a bunch of new faces on our offense,” Johnson said. “Just the timing and everything takes a bit longer than it might defensively, but I think in the middle of last week we really ‘clicked’ and started a flow. It’s been a lot of fun just seeing all the pieces come together and see guys go out there and make plays.”

Johnson, entering his senior season tied with Will Howard for the school record in career passing touchdowns with 48, is chasing his third 3,000-plus season.