Reports say Snyder to return to KSU

KANSAS CITY — Former Kansas State coach Bill Snyder has told school officials that he will return to coach the Wildcats.

A person with knowledge of the hiring told The Associated Press that the 69-year-old Snyder would be introduced at a news conference Monday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.

A report on the Web site of the The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle says a source indicated that Snyder would be given a five-year contract worth $1.8 million per season.

Snyder retired three years ago after turning around the football program at Kansas State in what's been called "the Miracle in Manhattan." He left with a 136-68-1 record and was replaced by Ron Prince.

The school said only that the news conference was to discuss the coaching situation.

When Snyder took over after the 1988 season, the Wildcats had gone 0-21-1 their two previous years and many people in the Big Eight Conference were wondering if the school ought to give up major college football status.

The Wildcats had a record of 299-510, the only major college with 500 losses. They had won one conference title — in 1934 — and enjoyed two winning seasons in 34 years.

But by 1997, Snyder had the Wildcats contending for national as well as Big 12 honors. As one long-suffering fan put it at the time, "It's like we're a big extended family that's been living in poverty for generations, but now we've got a smart uncle who's making us all rich."

When Snyder retired as the most revered figure in the school's athletic history, the stadium was renamed "Bill Snyder Family Stadium," and the highway leading from Interstate 70 into Manhattan was renamed "Bill Snyder Highway."

Prince, who replaced Snyder after the 2005 season, was fired with three games left but finished out this season. He was 17-20 and beaten down by the same disadvantages that have plagued Kansas State for decades: no major population within a short distance to recruit from and less money than the more richly endowed institutions.