Remember that time Bill Snyder received votes for governor of Kansas? Okay, so Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, and Jesus also received a write-in but seriously, why not K-State’s head coach for office?
Bill Snyder has led the Kansas State football program to 187 wins, an achievement that is alone worth promotion to Kansas governor in the eyes of the Wildcat family. But for everyone else, we explore the qualities that make Bill Snyder the best man for the job in 2018:
An honest guy with a modest program that is a proven winner, isn’t this every voter’s dream politician?
Resourcing
When Bill Snyder arrived in 1989, Kansas State did not have the resources necessary to compete at the FBS level. Things would change as Snyder established an in-state recruiting foothold and then slowly began to expand outward. By 2009, the Wildcats were drawing commitments from student athletes in California, Florida, and all over central and eastern Texas. Even more impressive than grounds are the resources themselves. Rather than waste time haggling 4 and 5-star recruit with the flashier schools, Bill Snyder found hidden gems all over the JUCO ranks.
That’s 187 wins and 16 bowl games with a roster loaded with 2-star athletes, JUCO transfers, and walk-ons. Now imagine this same Bill Snyder approach to a state budget that has a reported $600 million gap as of April 2015.
Integrity
Bill Snyder may be the most respected coach in all of college football because of his honesty, both positive and negative.
“He says nothing but the truth and leads you in the right way,” says sophomore linebacker Elijah Lee. “He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. No matter who you are, he tells you everything straight forward.”
When was the last time the Wildcats made headlines due to booster problems, academic fraud, or recruiting violations? Snyder has run a very squeaky-clean program at Kansas State, one that doesn’t rely on gimmicks to attract wins. At a time when even the playing surface is becoming more abstract, the “powercat” and royal purple of Kansas State remains pure and true.
An honest guy with a modest program that is a proven winner, isn’t this every voter’s dream politician?
Relatibility
There aren’t very many 75 year old men who can relate to young people as Bill Snyder has. Bare in mind Snyder once took over a program where Kansas State players were embarrassed to wear letter jackets around campus. He found ways to relate to those players and continues to establish connections with young athletes today.
Fact is people can relate when they open up to each other, a category in which Bill Snyder is second to none. He will give any student-athlete a chance to play and judges his players based on work ethic instead of raw talent. Snyder also surrounds himself with people he can relate to. This includes passionate, high-character guys who will do the right thing instead of selling their souls to the devil for a few extra wins.
Society is rapidly changing with each generation, but we’re confident Bill Snyder won’t have any issue earning the ‘young vote’. Jim Mora may not want to shake his hand but if there’s anyone who can cleanse the office of Kansas governor in November 2018, it will be the near-80 year old Bill Snyder.
Snyder’s Governor’s Cup record doesn’t hurt either.