Texas A&M fans were surprised to hear that Collin Klein was leaving the Aggies for Kansas State when that news came down— not because that was an unexpected landing spot, of course (if anything, it's the opposite), but because of how quickly the entire process took place.
With head coach Chris Klieman retiring from the Wildcats and Klein immediately being named as the replacement (at least from the reporting surrounding the situation, as the Kansas State AD was somewhat taciturn at first), the entire thing took place seemingly instantly. The good news for Aggie fans is that Klein will not be leaving the program high and dry, and will coach throughout the playoffs.
When you're a program experiencing a high degree of success, this is the kind of thing that happens— so Aggie fans will have to get used to it under Mike Elko. One other thing they'll have to get used to is that these top departing assistants will be expected to bring "their guys" with them to the new spot— and that's just what's happening here.
Collin Klein set to bring Texas A&M TEs coach Christian Ellsworth with him to Kansas State
A report emerged this morning from Matt Zenitz that Collin Klein would be bringing Texas A&M TEs coach Christian Ellsworth with him to Manhattan.
Collin Klein is targeting Texas A&M tight ends coach Christian Ellsworth for a role on his staff at Kansas State, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 9, 2025
Has been at A&M the last two years, working with Klein. Started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Kansas State in 2020. pic.twitter.com/bQdjZXWkJX
This shouldn't be too surprising since, as Zentiz mentions, Ellsworth is a guy that worked with Klein before either were in College Station. Texas A&M already looks to have a replacement lined up, as well, which tells me that this was a move that Elko expected.
The Aggie tight ends have been a great position group this year, especially in the blocking game. Things have progressed by leaps and bounds there since last year (not to mention years previous to that), which has led to a lot of the success that the Aggies have seen.
This may disgruntle some Aggie fans, but as I mentioned, you have to expect this kind of thing when you are a successful program. Luckily, the Ags have Mike Elko in the captain's chair— and he is a man who always has a plan.