i was admittedly caught off guard wednesday afternoon when Prince’s firing was announced. not that it was shocking in and of itself, but the timing. but whatever it needed to happen. it was a welcome surprise after tuesday. so…here are my choices in order of who i would like to see lead K-State football back to where it should be.
1. Gary Patterson, TCU 
to me, this is a no-brainer. he played football at Kansas State, he was an assistant there in the early 80s, he was born in Kansas, he is a defensive minded coach who has already had 4 10+ win seasons (make it 5 after this season) he recruits Texas, he has always coached well against BCS schools (10-2 last 12) including 5-1 against the Big 12 in the last 3 years. Definite solid long-term hire with tremendous upside. plus word is he would take the job if the offer is right.
2. Bill Snyder, retired 
still just 69, rumor is he wants to coach again after having 3 years off to rejuvinate himself. word also is he retired early because he didn’t want to fire any staffers…having never fired anyone before. I fully believe with a new staff of good recruiters that Snyder could easily get K-State back to where it was throughout most of his career. this is a short term solution that may only last 3-5 years, but if a succession plan is put into place then I really like it.
3. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin 
former D-Coordinator at K-State in 2002-2003 and noted recruiter, word is he would have loved to have succeeded Snyder had it been known Bill was going to retire within 2 years back in 2003. instead no-one knew and Bret accepted a succession plan under former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez (close friend to Bill Snyder going back to their Iowa days). Bret is under fire in Wisconsin this season despite an overall record of 24-9 and back to back new years day bowls. This is a longshot but I would welcome it completely.
4. pretty much anyone else would likely be a disapointment to me. it won’t be a guy who hasn’t had head coaching experience, that much i know. not after the Prince debacle. if it is anyone else, it better be a total rediculous HR hire, like Bob Stoops or something lol.
