MANHATTAN, Kan., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Fans and players connected to Bill Snyder are coming to grips with his decision on Tuesday to retire after 16 years as football coach at Kansas State.
The Manhattan Mercury reported that Snyder, 66, informed his players about his decision at a team meeting Monday night.
During his tenure at the Big 12 school, the Wildcats have a 135-68-1 record, with three Big 12 championship game appearances, and 11 consecutive bowl games until the 2004 season. The Wildcats were 11-4 and Big 12 champions in 2003 but were 4-7 last season. They started 3-0 in 2005 but have lost six of their last seven.
In the 27 games before Snyder began his KSU career, the Wildcats, had gone 0-26-1.
"The truth is, Coach Snyder exceeded all expectations," said Kansas State President Jon Wefald on the school's Web site. "Indeed, Coach Snyder and his staff made K-State into a national football power."
The Web site article gave no reason for Snyder's retirement, but did say he would remain employed by the athletics department as a special assistant to the athletics director.
Snyder compiled recorded the eighth-most wins in Division I-A from 1993-2004. His last game will be Saturday afternoon, when Kansas State faces Missouri.
