The Right Way

Unlike the NFL, where free agency allows a team to upgrade its roster yearly, rebuilding a struggling college team can be a long, grueling process, usually filled with defeat and frustration. However, a successful resurrection can be one of the most gratifying, fullilling and respected accomplishments of a coach’s career. Before Bill Snyder took over at Kansas State in 1989, the Wildcats had only one winning season in 18 years and were in the midst of a 26-game losing streak. The streak would eventually reach 29, before Snyder, in his first year, led the Wildcats to a 20-17 victory over North Texas, the only win in the head coach’s first year. Since then, the Wildcats are an impressive 117-52, and presently are one of only seven teams to make nine straight bowl appearances. “Bill Snyder isn’t the coach of the year, and he isn’t the coach of the decade,” former Oklahoma and