Bill Snyder

Bill Snyder is currently serving as a special ambassador for Kansas State University's athletics department after a successful tenure as the head football coach at Kansas State University. Snyder was at the helm during two separate periods, from 1989 to 2005 and again from 2009 to 2018. During his leadership, Kansas State achieved significant milestones, including its 300th, 400th, and 500th all-time wins. In recognition of his contribution, the university named its home field the Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. His efforts in rebuilding the football program at Kansas State are considered one of the most successful in collegiate football history, transforming the team from being labeled "America's most hapless team" into a nationally competitive football program.

During his career, Snyder received multiple coaching awards, including the Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year three times and the Big 12 Coach of the Year four times. He also received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, Walter Camp Coach of the Year, AP Coach of the Year, Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award twice, Sporting News Coach of the Year, and Woody Hayes Coach of the Year. These recognitions came from various organizations, demonstrating his broad respect in the field. He was also a finalist for multiple coach of the year awards throughout his career. The Hall of Fame football coach Barry Switzer called him "the coach of the century."

Bill Snyder was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015, adding to his previous induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He officially retired in 2018 with a record of 215 victories at Kansas State, two Big 12 championships, and a legacy of student-athletes who excelled academically and professionally, resulting in 34 AP All-Americans, 47 NFL Draft picks, and 46 first-team academic All-Americans. His coaching career is credited with over 40 percent of Kansas State's all-time wins. Beyond his coaching career, Snyder has established a scholarship at William Jewell College in honor of his mother, further solidifying his commitment to education and student development.