K-State's Snyder sees similarities with Rhoads

By KELLIS ROBINETT

The Kansas City Star

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MANHATTAN, Kan. | Count Bill Snyder as one of the few people who wasn’t shocked to see Iowa State defeat then-No. 2 Oklahoma State two weeks ago.

Though the Cyclones entered the game as big underdogs, Snyder figured they had a chance because of their coach, Paul Rhoads.

“He comes from good stock, Paul does,” Snyder said. “And he’s done extremely well. He does it the right way, too.”

Snyder has known Rhoads for many years. The relationship started when Snyder met Rhoads’ father, a high school coach, on the recruiting trail when he was a coordinator.

Since taking over in Ames in 2009, Rhoads has guided the Cyclones, consistently picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12 standings, to an 18-18 record and won a bowl game. Now he has another upset opportunity Saturday against No. 16 K-State.

Rhoads has overseen victories against Nebraska, Texas, Iowa and Oklahoma State. The Cyclones’ victory over the Cowboys improved their record to 6-5 and ensured they will return to the postseason. Many would say he has overachieved, and he has done so with a style that mimics Snyder’s.

Rhoads likes to run the ball in a conference where passing is king. Rhoads likes to recruit junior-college players, and has 17 on Iowa State’s roster. And Rhoads puts in long hours, keeping his focus always on the next game. In some ways, he is a younger version of Snyder, albeit more eccentric and YouTube-friendly after victories.

Listen to Snyder talk about Iowa State, and it sounds like he is discussing his own team.

“They do not give up defensively an awful lot,” Snyder said. “They do not put themselves in jeopardy on offense. They are very sound, secure in the kicking game. I think fundamentally, they are a good football team. They finish ballgames. At no particular point of time in the course of a ballgame, regardless of what has taken place, do they not play as hard as they can.”

Rhoads sounds the same talking about K-State.

“The greatest compliment I can give them is that Kansas State has not beaten themselves,” Rhoads said. “That’s a strong compliment. They do not lose football games. They’re a very smart team. They’re a very sound team.”

The similar coaches run similar teams. Like K-State, the Cyclones are strongest at linebacker, behind Jake Knott and A.J Klein. And on offense, everything flows through dual-threat quarterback Jared Barnett, who has won three of four since taking over as starter.

After a two-year experiment at Arrowhead Stadium, where K-State won 24-23 and 27-20, the series returns to campuses. The Wildcats are fighting for a share of the Big 12 championship and bowl positioning. The Cyclones are looking to lock up a winning season.

“There are a lot of similarities,” K-State center B.J. Finney said. “Iowa State doesn’t quit playing. They don’t give up.

“That’s what everyone has tagged K-State to be, playing with big hearts and never really quitting.”