Behind head coach Bill Snyder in his first season back from retirement, the Wildcat football team went 6-6. While this was only a slight improvement from last year's 5-7 record under former head coach Ron Prince, it was an improvement nonetheless. Performance against Kansas is often how many fans measure success, and K-State did pass that test.

"Bottom line for me, it was a disappointing finish," Snyder said. "Yet, I was pleased with progress we had made during the course of the year. It takes time to learn how to perform in that kind of environment."

While Snyder said he is certain the players have not grasped the intensity of the physical, mental and emotional aspects it takes to do well, he said they are beginning to understand the commitment aspect of it. He said the players are beginning to understand the emotional and mental preparation that's required to have success. He also said he thinks they have a far better understanding today than they did in January of last year.

While the Wildcats narrowly missed a bowl game and the Big 12 North championship, due largely to a loss to Nebraska and scheduling of too many small schools, Snyder seemed optimistic about the future. He likened his feelings about this team's future to those about the team when he was here in 1989.

"At the end of my first season, even though we were a 1-10 football team, I was more confident at that time than at any time before that the program would have some success," Snyder said. "I feel the same way. I think it's a little different, but I feel the same way."

K-State received a myriad of postseason recognitions. Senior kick returner/receiver Brandon Banks won Special Teams Player of the Year and junior running back Daniel Thomas received Offensive Newcomer of the Year. K-State had 10 players on the All-Academic first team and three on the second team. The university leads the Big 12 in graduation rate for student-athletes based on the four-year class average.

The Wildcats had four players named as All-Big 12 first team, and three more made honorable mention. Snyder made honorable mention as well.

Offseason

Now that the games are over, the behind-the-scenes work takes place. Beginning today, Snyder said, they will have seven days of workouts, which will consist of their strength and conditioning maintenance. However, he is most concerned that his players finish strong academically as well.

"First and foremost, I think their focus needs to be in the classroom," Snyder said.

After final exams, the players will have semester and Christmas break off and when they come back, football preparation will start up again.

"They will have a program for when they go home that they will follow, but who knows how that will go," Snyder said. "I would like to think more and more of these young guys are willing to accept the commitment that is necessary during that period of time."

He said it is very important for them to have some maintenance work to do while away from the program so they do not come back and have to begin the process of conditioning and strengthening all over again.

"I think the vast majority will do what they need to do," Snyder said.

As far as recruiting for next season, the Wildcats will have the majority of their class in time for spring football. Snyder said there are only about three scholarships left. He said recruiting is happening with younger students these days, and he is not totally comfortable with that because he wants to see how players perform their senior year of high school.

"We put a little bit of emphasis on a few areas that might be significant immediately," Snyder said. "But overall, you try to fit every position that you can. Immediate needs would probably be an offensive lineman, a defense lineman or two; perhaps a linebacker."

He said the team is about a game away from solidifying its 2010 schedule.

2010 Season

Speaking of schedule, that is one aspect of next season that should be slightly different. This season K-State had 12 consecutive games without a bye week and the number of smaller schools it had as opponents meant it had to win seven games instead of the traditional six to qualify for a bowl berth.

"I wasn't happy with the [nonconference] schedule," Snyder said. "But if we lose two of those ball games, that's our fault. If I remember correctly, I don't think we played away too many times during my previous tenure here. I prefer to play home games."

Snyder said while home games are his preference, he also understands the need to be somewhat realistic. He said scheduling quality opponents is very difficult to do, more so now than it was 20 years ago because of the monetary aspect involved. Simply put, it costs more to play good schools.

While Snyder said the coaching staff would not pass up a good available quarterback because of the prominence of the position, he is not anxious about finding another one.

"I am not uncomfortable with what we have returning," Snyder said. "We have got Carson Coffman, Sammuel Lamur, Collin Klein and Chris Harper that will all compete for the job."

He said he thinks the team has a chance to be better in many areas.

"Defensively, that's certainly the case," Snyder said. "I think each one of them has to accept the responsibility and foster that commitment. If indeed that takes place, then yes, we have a chance to be a better defensive football team."

2009 All-Big 12 Selections

Bill Snyder - Honorable mention Coach of the Year

Daniel Thomas - Offensive Newcomer of the Year