Bill Snyder is coming back to Kansas State... - The Orange Mane

Crushaholic · 11-24-2008, 10:05 AM

I'm not sure I agree with this decision, but we'll see if it pays off and Kansas State football returns to some sort of prominence...

http://cjonline.com/stories/112408/cat_359184664.shtml

MANHATTAN — At precisely 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Kansas State players began filing toward a meeting room at the Vanier Football Complex.

Punctuality is paramount when you play for Bill Snyder.

About 15 minutes later, athletic director Bob Krause emerged from the building.

The crowd of reporters was long gone. So was Krause's tie, apparently discarded with his search now complete.

The parking spot labeled "Coach Snyder" sat empty, alongside the spot labeled "Head Coach." Starting today, Snyder can take his pick of either stall.

The man who engineered one of college football's greatest turnarounds is returning to the stadium that bears his name. A news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. today.

There, sources told The Topeka Capital-Journal, the 69-year-old Snyder will announce his return to the team he coached for 17 seasons.

The announcement comes two days after Ron Prince's final game at K-State. Prince never connected with Wildcat fans the way his predecessor did, a fact that became apparent as the Wildcats faltered this season.

The task of replacing a legend was great, though Prince claimed he never viewed it in those terms.

"I think we got the boat going in the same direction as coach (Snyder) had it," Prince said Saturday, after coaching his final game at K-State.

Now, Snyder will be back at the helm. The Wildcats won 136 games under his watch and came painfully close to playing for a national title in 1998. They appeared in 11 consecutive bowl games and three Big 12 championship games, defeating top-ranked Oklahoma for the league title in 2003.

The Wildcats struggled in Snyder's final two seasons, however, and the losing took an obvious toll.

"It's not an enjoyable time in my life, I can assure you that," he said then.

Surrounded by family and friends, Snyder said an emotional goodbye following the final game of the 2005 season. He vowed to spend more time with those loved ones whose sacrifices made the Miracle in Manhattan possible.

"I've not been the kind of father that I should have been, nor the kind of husband," he said at the time. "I don't know if I can correct that, but I know what I can do. And believe me, I'm going to spend some time with them, an awful lot of it, because when I have suffered they have suffered."

Three years later, a rejuvenated Snyder will return to the K-State sideline. He was noticeably upbeat Saturday, sporting a purple tie along with his dark suit. He laughed and smiled with friends and family while riding the elevator in the stadium that bears his name.

That stadium is his domain once again.

Jens1893 · 11-24-2008, 10:43 AM

Kinda makes me wonder if they couldn´t find anyone else ...

Rock Chalk · 11-24-2008, 12:03 PM

I think Snyder is a stop gap until Snyder can convince some schmuck to come over (the guy from TCU maybe?).

Still, good news for the Big 12 conference in general since Snyder is a great coach he should give the North at least more competition from the cesspool that is KState.

Crushaholic · 11-24-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens1893

Kinda makes me wonder if they couldn´t find anyone else ...

What I couldn't understand is Bob Krause, the athletic director, wanted a coach in place by the end of the season. I understand his thinking from a recruiting standpoint, but he's missing a lot of good potential candidates that way. Most coaches currently in jobs won't be available until after the season. It's a head scratcher...

Kid A · 11-24-2008, 02:53 PM

Not sure what to think of this. Can he catch lightening in a bottle again? The team was falling off in his last years even before Ronnie came in, but he is obviously a hell of a coach. I can't imagine this is a very long-term solution, unless he wants to be another Joe Pa.

11-24-2008, 10:05 AM	#1
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,044	Bill Snyder is coming back to Kansas State... I'm not sure I agree with this decision, but we'll see if it pays off and Kansas State football returns to some sort of prominence... http://cjonline.com/stories/112408/cat_359184664.shtml MANHATTAN — At precisely 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Kansas State players began filing toward a meeting room at the Vanier Football Complex. Punctuality is paramount when you play for Bill Snyder. About 15 minutes later, athletic director Bob Krause emerged from the building. The crowd of reporters was long gone. So was Krause's tie, apparently discarded with his search now complete. The parking spot labeled "Coach Snyder" sat empty, alongside the spot labeled "Head Coach." Starting today, Snyder can take his pick of either stall. The man who engineered one of college football's greatest turnarounds is returning to the stadium that bears his name. A news conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. today. There, sources told The Topeka Capital-Journal, the 69-year-old Snyder will announce his return to the team he coached for 17 seasons. The announcement comes two days after Ron Prince's final game at K-State. Prince never connected with Wildcat fans the way his predecessor did, a fact that became apparent as the Wildcats faltered this season. The task of replacing a legend was great, though Prince claimed he never viewed it in those terms. "I think we got the boat going in the same direction as coach (Snyder) had it," Prince said Saturday, after coaching his final game at K-State. Now, Snyder will be back at the helm. The Wildcats won 136 games under his watch and came painfully close to playing for a national title in 1998. They appeared in 11 consecutive bowl games and three Big 12 championship games, defeating top-ranked Oklahoma for the league title in 2003. The Wildcats struggled in Snyder's final two seasons, however, and the losing took an obvious toll. "It's not an enjoyable time in my life, I can assure you that," he said then. Surrounded by family and friends, Snyder said an emotional goodbye following the final game of the 2005 season. He vowed to spend more time with those loved ones whose sacrifices made the Miracle in Manhattan possible. "I've not been the kind of father that I should have been, nor the kind of husband," he said at the time. "I don't know if I can correct that, but I know what I can do. And believe me, I'm going to spend some time with them, an awful lot of it, because when I have suffered they have suffered." Three years later, a rejuvenated Snyder will return to the K-State sideline. He was noticeably upbeat Saturday, sporting a purple tie along with his dark suit. He laughed and smiled with friends and family while riding the elevator in the stadium that bears his name. That stadium is his domain once again.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-24-2008, 10:43 AM	#2
Jens1893 Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2001 Location: People´s Republic of Bad Cannstatt Posts: 9,170	Kinda makes me wonder if they couldn´t find anyone else ...

11-24-2008, 12:03 PM	#3
Rock Chalk Cheeky Bastards Laus Deo Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Backside of the Internet Posts: 29,940 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	I think Snyder is a stop gap until Snyder can convince some schmuck to come over (the guy from TCU maybe?). Still, good news for the Big 12 conference in general since Snyder is a great coach he should give the North at least more competition from the cesspool that is KState.

11-24-2008, 02:53 PM	#5
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,595	Not sure what to think of this. Can he catch lightening in a bottle again? The team was falling off in his last years even before Ronnie came in, but he is obviously a hell of a coach. I can't imagine this is a very long-term solution, unless he wants to be another Joe Pa.