Bill Snyder returns to Kansas State

Nov 24, 2008 - 4:22 PM MANHATTAN, Kansas (Ticker) -- Bill Snyder already has succeeded once at turning around Kansas State's floundering football program.

At 69 years old, Snyder has been asked to do it again.

Kansas State reached into its past Monday, naming Snyder as its head football coach two days after completing a second straight losing season.

Terms of Snyder's hiring were not disclosed, but the Kansas City Star reported that he received a five-year contract worth $1.8 million annually.

Snyder guided the Wildcats to 11 bowl games and a 136-68-1 record in 17 seasons before retiring in November 2005.

Now Snyder has been charged with the task of reviving the program that he previously transformed from bottom-feeder to contender in the Big 12 Conference.

"One of the most important factors in identifying the right person to take over this football program was to find an individual who has been a successful head coach and best understands the culture and tradition of Kansas State," athletic director Bob Krause said.

"No one understands that more than Coach Snyder, and we are excited to be announcing him as our head coach today."

Snyder will replace Ron Prince, who coached the Wildcats to a 17-20 record and only one bowl appearance over the last three seasons.

The school announced earlier this month that Prince, who posted a 5-7 record this year, will not return next season. Kansas State concluded its campaign Saturday with a 38-30 victory over Iowa State.

Under Snyder, Kansas State earned 11 consecutive bowl berths from 1993-2003.

But after winning the Big 12 Conference in 2003 and reaching the Fiesta Bowl, the Wildcats struggled in their last two seasons under Snyder, going 9-13 over that stretch.

Kansas State had played in just two bowl games prior to Snyder's arrival and went a combined 0-21-1 under Stan Parrish from 1987-1988.

But after going 1-10 in his first season in Manhattan, Snyder miraculously turned the abysmal program around, coaching the Wildcats to at least a share of four conference titles, two trips to the Cotton Bowl and two appearances in the Fiesta Bowl.