Coach Snyder’s Incredible Coaching Record

By J. T. Keith

As a young graduate assistant, Bill Snyder (MS 65) came to ENMU with a goal to graduate and to establish himself as one of the best to ever coach college football. He later would reach this goal, earning a place in the pantheons of the football coaching greats alongside Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes, Knute Rockne and Bobby Bowden.

“I enjoyed my time at ENMU,” Coach Snyder said. “Dr. Joe Dixon was the Director of Physical Education at the time and gave me the opportunity to serve in that department as a grad assistant.”

Kansas State hired Coach Snyder in 1989 to turn around the worst program in Division I football. Coach Snyder, who has been named National Coach of the Year five times, transformed his team into consistent national-title contenders. He has led his team to 179 victories in 22 years of coaching, a total that ranks him ninth all-time for Football Bowl Subdivision coaches. Since 2005 the Kansas State Wildcats have been playing in Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

“I was fortunate to be able to attend Eastern New Mexico University and to serve in the physical education department.” Coach Snyder lamented, “I was around some great people while I was there. I have a lot of admiration for the people and professors who helped me when I was young. I enjoyed my time there immensely, and I cannot say enough about all that I experienced there.”