The decision by Kansas State University football coach Bill Snyder to step aside after 17 years as the Wildcats’ coach will be viewed with varied reactions, based largely on whether a person is a longtime Kansas State Wildcat fan or a loyal Kansas University Jayhawk.

Putting aside the number of wins Snyder compiled as the Kansas State coach, many of which came at the expense of the Jayhawks, alumni and friends of both schools would agree Snyder has conducted his affairs and behaved in a manner that brought credit to Kansas State and to the football coaching profession.

There are bound to be stories about how Snyder did this or that, or what he has been allowed to do behind the scenes at Kansas State, but his public image is one of a serious, quiet-spoken coach, a man who did wonders for KSU on and off the football field.

No one is indispensable, or should think he or she is indispensable, but Bill Snyder will be a difficult man to replace. KSU President Jon Wefald did an excellent job in bringing Snyder to Manhattan, and K-State alumni and friends probably are keeping their fingers crossed hoping he will be able to duplicate his efforts in finding a top-flight individual to help guide the Wildcat football team.

Jayhawk fans will continue to do what they can to help KU coach Mark Mangino and his team beat the Wildcats when they come to KU next fall and they hope KU will win the in-state recruiting battles with Kansas State. However, beneath this understandable school loyalty, most all good sportsmen, no matter what their school ties may be, will acknowledge Snyder has done a good job. He reversed a losing football program, he restored the “purple pride,” and student enrollment numbers at KSU increased during his tenure as did fiscal support for the school.

Snyder enjoyed an excellent 17 years at Kansas State.