This is from the Washington Post about K-State's future defensive coordinator:

Breaking News: Cosh Returns to Kansas State

Maryland defensive coordinator Chris Cosh will be returning to Kansas State as associate head coach and defensive coordinator, according to Cosh's wife, Mary. While Chris Cosh has roots in this area, he and his family also have very high regard for Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder, who recently came out of retirement to take over head coaching duties.

Cosh spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons working as Snyder’s linebackers coach before Snyder retired.

Snyder said in a phone interview in October that he had great respect for Cosh and his family and commended him for his recruiting and football mind. Snyder, who recommended Cosh to Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen, said: “Usually when people ask you for a recommendation, they finish by asking is there any weak point. Chris was one of the only people when, if that was asked, I didn’t have anything to say.”

Maryland has endured a wildly inconsistent season, but a vocal segment of the Terps fan base has directed most of its ire at only one man – Cosh. Maryland defense has been inconsistent all season. Cal threw for 239 yards against Maryland in the fourth quarter alone on Sept. 20. Virginia Tech redshirt freshman Darren Evans ran for a school-record 253 yards in a Nov. 6 victory over Maryland. And there have been at least three instances of defensive communication issues throughout the season that Coach Ralph Friedgen has pinpointed.

But Cosh’s defense also was the primary reason why Maryland rallied to beat Clemson on Sept. 27. The Terrapins held the Tigers to only 26 rushing yards in the second half after being gashed by the Tigers in the first half. The defense also contained a potent North Carolina offense and, according to Friedgen, played well enough to win the Nov. 29 regular season finale at Boston College.

Now my feelings on this hire: I personally don't see this being a home run hire by any means. Most fans wanted former Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning or Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Both had K-State ties. Instead, it appears that Bill Snyder has opted for Cosh.

The problem I see so far with these hires in Joe Bob Clements and Cosh are they were two of the guys on the staff when things started to go south quickly in 2004 and 2005. It may not have been their fault specifically but there were still some problems. Cosh coached the K-State linebackers in both 04 and 05.

Snyder admitted yesterday with Kevin Kietzman in a interview with sportsradio 810 that he felt some people let him down in 2004 and 2005, including both players and coaches he was referring to.

Apparently Cosh and Clements were not two of them. Cosh's defense at Maryland ranked 60th in the country this year. That would be a lot of progress for K-State, who ranked 117th in the nation this past season. But that ranking was in the ACC Conference and that may be the worst offensive conference in the country among all BCS schools. A 60th-ranked defense in the ACC likely doesn't translate well to a Big 12 Conference loaded with explosive offenses.

The highest rated defense in the Big 12 this past season was Texas at No. 50 in the nation. And you and I both know, they have much more talented players across the board compared to K-State. If they can only peak at 50th in the nation, then it doesn't spell good things to come with Cosh.

I know a lot of K-State fans are disappointed if this turns out to be true. I think it is, but I will wait for an official release from the K-State sports information department to announce it.

I didn't see this hire coming. I am surprised just like many of you. I had heard just today from a source that the coordinators were all but set in Koenning on defense and Chuck Long on offense. My how things change in a few hours.