Snyder to return in 2018
As previously reported three weeks ago at K-StateOnline, KSO has received further confirmation that Bill Snyder indeed plans on returning to coach at Kansas State in 2018 and has now told his coaching staff of this decision.
KSO received confirmation from sources over the last three weeks that Snyder's plans had not changed. The site was then informed today that, as part of a coaching staff meeting, Snyder told his assistants of his plan to return in 2018.
The meeting, and the message given in the meeting, were first reported by KSO Managing Editor Jeffrey Martin, "Was just told by a source that the meeting was short, but long enough for Bill to tell the assistants that he would be back for a 27th season," Martin posted at 2:23 p.m. on The Foundation.
The confirmation of the info released at the meeting came from one of the same four initial sources to originally inform KSO of Snyder's plans on Dec. 13.
Snyder, who has still yet to publicly state his intentions to return, would be coming back for his 27th season off an 8-5 record that was capped by a 35-17 victory over UCLA in the Cactus Bowl.
UPDATE: Kansas State has also now confirmed the news via a release.
Head Coach Bill Snyder:
“As I have stated many times, as long as I remain in good health, am wanted and have a positive impact on the young people in our program, I will continue to be the head coach at Kansas State University. Those factors have not changed, and I look forward to meeting with our players and beginning our out-of-season program when classes resume. I appreciate President Myers and Gene Taylor for their continued support of me, our program and our University. They are truly special K-Staters.”
Athletics Director Gene Taylor:
“We are excited that Coach Snyder has decided to continue to lead our program and look forward to building off the late-season momentum which included five wins in our final six games, a Top 10 road win and Cactus Bowl victory. I know he and his staff, in addition to our student-athletes, are anxious to get winter workouts and spring practices underway in preparation for next season.”
THE FOLLOWING REPORT WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED ON KSO DEC. 13
Four separate sources have now confirmed to K-StateOnline.com that Bill Snyder plans to return to coach Kansas State in 2018.
Multiple sources also said that the mood within the Vanier Football Complex and K-State program is "good" heading into bowl season - despite speculation to the contrary.
K-State failed to meet preseason expectations - its own, those of the fan base and also the media - but the Wildcats do enter the Dec. 26 Cactus Bowl against UCLA with a 7-5 record and four wins in their last five games, including victories over bowl-bound Texas Tech and Iowa State teams plus a win on the road against then-No. 10 Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
Snyder's roster also remains young, as the Wildcats are set to return as many as 17 of 22 starters on offense/defense and 39 of 44 members of the two deep - barring any possible departures by non-seniors, of course - in 2018.
Now, things could change due to health reasons - Snyder was diagnosed with cancer last off-season. But at the moment, his health is improved and he fully intends on returning to coach the Wildcats again in 2018.
This leaves the only current opening on the coaching staff at offensive coordinator, a position vacated by Dana Dimel - who took the head coaching job at UTEP. The latest official reports still have Dimel slated to serve as the offensive coordinator for the Wildcats against the Bruins.
