Had the chance to hear Gene Taylor speak this morning. Here are a few of the small tidbits that came out of the talk.
1. The university is working with HOK Design and Architecture firm to come up with a master plan for the athletic facilities across the board. He said to expect an announcement in May or June with a 200-250 million dollar master plan to include a new indoor football practice facility, new grass practice field for football, the south end zone renovation/addition, upgrades to Ahearn for Volleyball and track and field. Also they are going to put around 1.5 million into the outdoor track and field complex as K-State is hosting the 2020 BIg 12 Track and Field Championship.
2. When Gene arrived in March he said he thought there was no way that Coach Snyder would make it through the season. Said he was very frail and was just coming off his last treatment. As we all know he said Coach was not around much this last spring and was hardly on the field at all during the spring practices. Gene said that Coach is doing much better now and is re-energized and very excited about the upcoming season. Coach and Gene talked after the bowl game and Coach told him he wants to coach as long as he is healthy, having a positive impact on the kids, and as long as Gene wants him to continue coaching.
3. I would be surprised if Sean will be our next coach. Reading between the lines it sounds like he will look outside the program for the next coach. Said he has a shortlist of potential coaches in his head. Not written down, because the media would request to see it under the Open Records Act.
Nothing groundbreaking or shocking but wanted to share what he talked about. I will say that he seemed very open and approachable. Much more personable and genuine than our last AD. I came away much more optimistic about the future of our Athletic Department.
1. The university is working with HOK Design and Architecture firm to come up with a master plan for the athletic facilities across the board. He said to expect an announcement in May or June with a 200-250 million dollar master plan to include a new indoor football practice facility, new grass practice field for football, the south end zone renovation/addition, upgrades to Ahearn for Volleyball and track and field. Also they are going to put around 1.5 million into the outdoor track and field complex as K-State is hosting the 2020 BIg 12 Track and Field Championship.
2. When Gene arrived in March he said he thought there was no way that Coach Snyder would make it through the season. Said he was very frail and was just coming off his last treatment. As we all know he said Coach was not around much this last spring and was hardly on the field at all during the spring practices. Gene said that Coach is doing much better now and is re-energized and very excited about the upcoming season. Coach and Gene talked after the bowl game and Coach told him he wants to coach as long as he is healthy, having a positive impact on the kids, and as long as Gene wants him to continue coaching.
3. I would be surprised if Sean will be our next coach. Reading between the lines it sounds like he will look outside the program for the next coach. Said he has a shortlist of potential coaches in his head. Not written down, because the media would request to see it under the Open Records Act.
Nothing groundbreaking or shocking but wanted to share what he talked about. I will say that he seemed very open and approachable. Much more personable and genuine than our last AD. I came away much more optimistic about the future of our Athletic Department.
