I am always amazed at the inferiority complex that some K-Staters have. K-State is viewed as a great place to coach. By all accounts, Coach Ludwig loved Manhattan and enjoyed working with Coach Snyder. However, some unforeseen circumstances made the Cal job more compelling. In four years, I had 3 different position coaches and I know other players at other universities that had a similar experience.
I do not post much, but I know for a fact that there was a solid reason for Coach Ludwig's departure and I will leave it at that. There is no reason for ad hominen attacks on Andy Ludwig and his character. I have several friends who coach at the D1 level and they say nothing but glowing things about Andy Ludwig. By the way, these friends also say nothing but glowing things about Coach Snyder. This should not be viewed as an indictment of Coach Snyder and the way he treats his assistants or the way the program is headed.
With Coach Prince, the departures of coaches was troubling because they all left due to the arrogance of the coach and not on friendly terms. Dave Brock may be a great coach, but how many of you could suffer through a demotion and remain on a staff or in a job? Where was his upside? He had a 2-year audition and Coach Snyder chose to go another direction. Case closed. I wish only the best for him and his family.
Coach Snyder has an ego like all of us, but he would never put himself above the program or his coaches. That is the difference between him and Ron Prince. Ron Prince was so riddled with self-doubt that he had to create a boastful and arrogant alter-ego to mask his insecurity. He was a fraud and his assistants knew it. Nobody wants to coach for a fraud. Part of being a successful coach is surrounding yourself with capable assistants whom you know and trust. Dana Dimel is a tireless recruiter and an excellent football coach. Del Miller is also a great coach. I have two children and if I ever lost one of them, I am not sure I could recover. Some of you may not have known that Coach Miller lost his son after a lengthy battle with cancer. After the Big 12 championship, Ell Roberson showed his class by shouting out to Coach Miller and telling him how much he missed him. The players absoultely loved him. The loss of his son took his desire away and I think he has got it back.
All coaches work long hours. Any coach who does not want to work for Coach Snyder is an idiot. In coaching circles he is mentioned along with Joe Paterno and Tom Osborne. That is lofty company and this honor is not bestowed upon many coaches. Coach Snyder has been known as a coach who will willingly and readily counsel any new coach who seeks his advice (see Urban Meyer). Coaches respect that and that does not go unnoticed. I can not wait for football season. This team will surprise some people. These kids have been poorly coached and guided for three years and that will no longer be the case. Coach Snyder may be 69, but there is no one and I repeat no one that I would rather have coaching this football team.
