No. 23?! The Athletic just dished the ultimate disrespect to Bill Snyder

Former Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder is widely regarded as one of the most transformative figures in college football history.

But in The Athletic’s newly released rankings of the top 25 coaches of the 21st century, Snyder landed at No. 23—a placement that’s drawing criticism from those who believe his resume warrants more respect.

Snyder, the architect of one of the greatest program turnarounds in the sport, led K-State through two different eras and produced consistent success in one of the country’s toughest conferences.

Yet The Athletic’s rankings excluded his accomplishments from the 1990s—when the Wildcats twice came within striking distance of a national championship.

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Within the timeframe evaluated (2000 onward), Snyder’s track record remains strong: two Big 12 championships, two Fiesta Bowl appearances, four 11-win seasons, and five top-15 finishes.

“But after the peak of one of the most amazing program turnarounds in college football history, Snyder’s 2000s record was still very strong,” The Athletic wrote. “To come out of retirement in 2009 and show this job could still be a winner was a remarkable achievement. But Snyder posted just one Top 25 finish in his last six seasons, and his Wildcats had six seasons with six or fewer wins after 2000.”

Still, context matters.

Snyder’s 2012 team came within a game of the national championship, climbing to No. 1 in the BCS standings before falling to Baylor in Week 12.

That year, K-State went 8-1 in Big 12 play, knocking off traditional powers Oklahoma and Texas. It’s a feat made more impressive considering the Wildcats’ recruiting class entering that season was ranked 51st nationally and ninth in the conference.

K-State's sustained competitiveness under Snyder, especially in a league stacked with blue bloods like Texas and Oklahoma, highlights just how steep the hill was.

After returning to the sidelines in 2009 following Ron Prince’s three-year tenure, Snyder had to rebuild the foundation he once laid. He did so successfully, again turning Kansas State into a perennial Big 12 contender.

Snyder's coaching tree also speaks to his impact. Eleven of his former assistants went on to become head coaches at the FBS level, including Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Brent Venables (Oklahoma), Bret Bielema (Wisconsin, Arkansas, Illinois), and Mark Mangino (Kansas).

Compared to others ranked ahead of him—such as Brian Kelly (No. 12), James Franklin (No. 16), Mark Richt (No. 18), and Mark Dantonio (No. 21)—Snyder’s resume, especially considering the program he built from the ground up, arguably deserves more weight.

And while rankings will always spark debate, one thing is certain: few coaches did more with less than Bill Snyder.