Kansas State 2016 Season Preview: Bill Snyder Seeks 200th Win

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Nov 5, 2015; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats associate head coach Sean Snyder (R) talks to head coach Bill Snyder (L) against the Baylor Bears at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Bears won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

Coaching Staff

Bill Snyder returns to the sidelines for his 25th season as head coach of the Kansas State football program. He has a career record of 193-101-1, but is just 1-6 in his last seven bowl games. Despite his poor bowl record as of late, there’s no denying his job is secure; at least until he decides to call it a career.

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The first time Snyder retired, outsider Ron Prince was hired to take over the Wildcats. Prince was previously the offensive coordinator at Virginia before taking over as head coach at Kansas State in 2006. Whenever Snyder’s second tenure at the school comes to an end, there will be several internal options to choose from as Kansas State boasts one of the more experienced staffs in the country.

The four coordinators on the Kansas State staff have been coaching at the school for a total of 66 years. The longest-tenured member is Bill’s son, Sean Snyder, who is entering his 22nd season with the program. He was also an all-american punter for the Wildcats in the early 1990’s. He now serves as the special teams coordinator and associate head coach; a role he’s had since 2011.

The Wildcats special teams unit has been one of the best in the country since Snyder took over. Returners Tyler Lockett and Morgan Burns have won each of the last three Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year awards. The return game isn’t the only special teams unit to excel under Snyder. Kickers Jack Cantele, Matthew McCrane and punter Nick Walsh were all named to all-conference teams.

On the offensive side of the ball, Dana Dimel and Del Miller both return for their 19th seasons with the school. As co-offensive coordinators, both will have work to do in order to improve upon last season’s 113th ranked total offense. Their first order of business is to select a starting QB who can be the next Michael Bishop or Collin Klein.

Defensively, Tom Hayes enters his sixth season at Kansas State, and 40th overall as a coach. He returns six starters from last year’s squad, which may or may not be a good thing. The Wildcats ranked 106th in total defense in 2015 and allowed over 31 points per game. Cornerbacks Morgan Burns and Danzel McDaniel will be missed, however the front seven are very experienced. All seven projected starters are either juniors or seniors.

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