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Kansas State coach Bill Snyder reveals he has throat cancer

By The Sports Xchange
Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder. (Kansas State Football/Twitter)
Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder. (Kansas State Football/Twitter)

Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder announced Monday he has been diagnosed with throat cancer and has been receiving outpatient treatment for about three weeks.

Doctors indicated Snyder's prognosis to be excellent and have "projected a positive outcome," according to his lengthy statement issued by K-State.

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The 77-year-old Snyder is expected to be on the field for the start of the Wildcats' spring practice next month. Kansas State begins spring practice March 29 and the spring game is April 22.

"I have been diagnosed with throat cancer and have been receiving outpatient treatment at the KU Medical Center for about three weeks and am getting along very well," Snyder said in his statement. "The doctors and staffs at both KU Med and M.D. Anderson (in Houston) have been great; working so very well together to finalize the overall treatment plan which is being conducted in Kansas City. Both 'teams' have projected a positive outcome and have worked out a schedule that allows me to be in Kansas City for my regular treatments and still be back in the office on a regular basis through the first week of March."

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Snyder addressed his health now after recent speculation that he was seeking treatment for an undisclosed illness. He apologized for publicly disclosing his diagnosis in a statement.

"I feel bad having to release this information about my health in this manner prior to sharing it in person with so many personal friends, distant family, players and their families, past and present, and many of the Kansas State football family so close to our program. But, with so much talk presently out there, I certainly owe it to everyone to make them aware of my condition."

Snyder was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame two years ago and won his 200th game with the Wildcats in 2016. Kansas State finished 9-4 last season and defeated Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

Snyder, a four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, just completed his 25th year at Kansas State and has a 202-105-1 record with the Wildcats.

Snyder said the coaching staff -- which includes his son, Sean, the Wildcats' associate head coach/special teams coordinator -- will carry out their responsibilities when he is away from the team.

"Coach Snyder's health is of the utmost importance, and he has our full support during this time," Kansas State athletic director John Currie said. "We will provide all of the necessary accommodations he and his family need to ensure a smooth treatment process. He will remain our head coach during this treatment period, and we look forward to seeing him on the field this spring and in pursuit of career win No. 203 on Sept. 2."

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Snyder thanked his supporters at the school as well as family and friends.

"I'm very grateful to those who have responded over the past 24 hours via calls, texts, emails, etc., with such kind thoughts and words," Snyder said. "And again, my apology to each of you whom I did not have the opportunity to reach personally before this release."

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