Most fans were quick to note Snyder's accomplishments, which included building a downtrodden program into one of the nation's best.
"He put K-State on the map," said Lewis Raeford, who spent this morning discussing Snyder with friends inside the Shop Quik on the west side of town. Raeford said this year's team lacked the fundamentals of the game, blocking and tackling. "That wasn't happening this year."
"No, that's not it," said Glenn Hartke. "He needed good assistant coaches and good recruiters who could go out and get good players.''
Raeford said he thought Snyder didn't seem to be enjoying himself on the football field. "When what you do becomes work, you don't want to do it any more,'' he said.
Community leaders were sensitive to the contributions made to the local economy and mood by the team's success.
"Before he came, talk about football was a joke,'' remarked Riley County Commissioner Bob Newsome. ''After he came, people throughout the state had a completely different attitude than they had ever had before."
Mayor Ed Klimek termed the decision ''a dramatic change and loss'' for the city and university. ''I think his football program has helped launch economically our city into a new era of prosperity," Klimek added.
Dave Dreiling, president of GTM Sportswear, said Snyder did more for economic development than ''all the (economic development) initiatives this community has had, combined."
"There isn't a day that goes by when I don't either quote Bill Snyder or use his philosophy in my business," Dreiling added.
Jack Goldstein, founder of Steel and Pipe Supply Co., said he was disappointed. "He brought this community to life with good football teams,'' Goldstein said. ''I've lived here since 1933. In 1934, we won the Big 6, but after that it was nothing but losing football games until he got here."
Other fan reactions:
• Jeff Schinski: ''He completely turned the program around and made Kansas State a football power. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Bill.''
• Mark Stevens: ''When I introduced my son to him in 1999, he focused in on him and conversed with him for more than 30 minutes. ... I was overwhelmed that a man of his stature was that personable and humble.''
• Dennis Toll: ''He deserves all the accolades that will come his way. As he leaves, the folks of Manhattan should pat him on the back for what his efforts in building a program have meant for this community.''
More Reaction
"Coach Snyder resurrected K-State football from YEARS of futility; he brought pride and excitement to the university, the town and the state, and he launched the careers of many players and coaches. I never met the man, but admire him tremendously.
Will his shoes be hard to fill? You're darned right! When the university hired Bill Snyder, it went for substance, not flash. I hope they are just as wise and lucky in selecting his successor.
The program itself has all the necessary tools and facilities — what seems to be lacking is that sense of pride in performance that was a hallmark of K-State's winning teams.
Anyway, THANK YOU Coach Snyder — I hope you know how much you brightened the lives of K-Staters."
— Jan Garton
"Coach Snyder has played a major role for KSU, not only in sports but for the university in general. People tend to have short memories (the 'what have you done for me lately' thought process) and I hope this doesn't detract from his retirement. Good luck Coach Snyder."
— Paul Schliffke, Silver Lake
"My family moved to Manhattan in 1990, so I haven't known K-State football without Bill Snyder. Coach Snyder did a wonderful job with the football program and so he will be hard to replace. I'm sure the Athletic Director will do his best to give the program and the fans the best new coach that he can find."
— Melissa Linenberger
"I think Bill Snyder did an absolutely amazing job. He completely turned the program around and made Kansas State a football power. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Bill! I am not sure where the program will go, but I hope an already established head coach is brought in. I would hope it's someone who is a recognized winner and teacher. I would also hope something is done about the recruiting. You can't expect to be one of the best in the Big 12 while being in the bottom half of the conference in recruiting."
— Jeff Schinski
"I am quite frankly stunned. I admire HCBS (Head Coach Bill Snyder) a great deal. When I introduced my son to him in 1999 he focused in on him and conversed with him for over 30 minutes. It was evident that Coach was sincerely interested in him as a person. I was overwhelmed that a man of his stature was that personable and humble. I will never forget that. Neither will my son. I love KSU football. It will never be the same. Snyder is to KSU what Osborn is to NU or Robinson to USC or Paterno to Penn State. We will miss HCBS. I hope his successor is worthy, as a matter of fact, I hope HCBS personally picks his replacement.
God Bless you Coach. Thanks for the great years."
— Mark Stevens
"Bill Snyder has one of the best football minds in the country, his shoes will be hard to fill. I would like to see a coach with more energy, someone who can get the team excited, but it needs to be someone who can recruit. Lastly if the assistant coaches can't get the team to pay attention to detail and avoid penalties it won't matter who the coach is."
— Mark Rose
"I had a feeling this was going to happen. You kept hearing sports talk people say he wasn't getting through to the players, or that they were not playing up to their potential. This usually is a sign a coach is on the way out.
I would hate to see him not be a part of the program any more. Maybe we could retain Snyder as Director of Football Operations, Athletic Director or at the least we should let him have a hand in hiring the next coach.
This does however beg the question, Should we retire the Powercat as well? At least until our football team earns the right to wear it."
— Royce Kitts
"Bill Snyder accomplished what most people once thought was impossible in Manhattan. When he arrived, he was asked to fill shoes that were considered cement boots to any coaching career. Instead, coach Snyder lifted the program by those weighted bootstraps and transformed more than a football program.
For his success, Snyder deserves to leave under his own terms and in his own way. He also deserves all the accolades that will surely come his way in the coming days, weeks and months. As he leaves, the folks of Manhattan should pat him on the back — with warm and friendly taps — for what his efforts in building a program have meant for this community.
The thousands of Wildcat fans who streamed to Wagner Field on Saturdays brought life to Manhattan's economy and lifted this town as well as the hearts of the Wildcat faithful. For that, all Manhattan residents should be grateful.
Here's wishing coach Snyder well in his future endeavors. Thanks, Mr. Snyder, for making this Little Apple® purple."
— Dennis Toll, Tourism Sales Manager (and former Mercury sports writer)
"I think it will be hard to find a suitable replacement. However, Coach Snyder deserves a retirement with honors as he brought K-State from the dumps in football to a team to be wary of no matter what their record."
— Jim Pearson
"Thank you Coach Snyder for the great football environment you have created here at Kansas State. Good Luck in whatever you choose to do in the future.
K-State's football program is top-notch. There is no doubt that many quality coaches will be looking at the head coaching job. We have Coach Snyder to thank for the respect the K-State football program gets nationwide."
— Shirly Unekis
"I am sorry Coach has decided to retire but I respect his decision; he has been great for K-State and I thank him for a job well done; his shoes will be difficult to fill; but it has to be done; K-State must return to the top where Coach had the team a few years ago."
— Deborah F. Durar
"What we have in Bill Snyder is not a mere football coach, but an excellent human being. Compared to finding another coach of his quality of character, finding someone who can 'merely' win games will be easy."
--Lil Peck
"First we lose Robeson, then Sproles, and now Snyder. What is KSU coming to? At least Snyder lasted longer than the average student!
I believe that we shouldn't panic. Presumably good scouting had as much to do with recent success as did the coaching. Sproles is known to have chosen to come here because he saw Roberson play and wanted to work with him. But I imagine Snyder's reputation didn't hurt.
The whole city, even citizens who have little interest in football, rejoices in the immense contribution Bill Snyder has made to our general welfare. There is little doubt that a boulevard and a hall will be named after him. Maybe we can come up with something even better."
— Hal Dace
"I want you to know that even as a Husker fan, I admire your football coach, Bill Snyder. He is a class act through and through. We'll trade you straight up for our head coach.
Seriously, hats off to your football program, the players, and especially the Kansas State head coach."
— Mike Dulaney, Lincoln, Neb.
