| Bruce Snyder |
|
|
Maroon and Gold Illustrated takes a look at the life of Bruce Snyder (May, 2009)
Compiled a 58-45 record (.563) in nine seasons (1992-2000) at ASU.
Snyder's 58 wins trailed only Frank Kush's 176 wins in ASU annals.
Directed ASU to its fourth undefeated regular season (11-0) in history in 1996 and led the Sun Devils to their second Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl appearance ... The 1996 campaign produced one of biggest upsets in college football history when the Sun Devils shutout the top-ranked and two-time defending national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers 19-0 in Sun Devil Stadium ... ASU finished the 1996 season ranked No. 4 in both of the major polls after the Sun Devils lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl (20-17) on a last-minute Buckeye touchdown ... Snyder was named the 1996 consensus National Coach-of-the-Year, winning 13 major coach-of-the-year awards, including the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Award.
In 1997 Snyder led ASU to a 9-3 record and a 17-7 victory over Iowa in the Sun Bowl.
Guided ASU to victories over Washington, USC, UCLA and Arizona in 1996 and 1999, the only two years in ASU history the Sun Devils have accomplished that feat.
More than 40 players who Snyder coached at ASU were drafted into the NFL, including seven first-round draft choices. In addition, more than 40 other players who played for Snyder at ASU signed rookie free agent contracts.
Under Snyder, 18 different players earned All-America honors, including offensive tackle Juan Roque, who was a consensus All-American in 1996.
In 1996, Snyder's mentoring helped QB Jake Plummer to a season which enabled him to be a Heisman Trophy finalist.
While at ASU, Snyder's players produced more than 100 All-Pac-10 citations, including one Offensive Player of the Year (Jake Plummer in 1996), two Defensive Players of the Year (Pat Tillman in 1997 and Adam Archuleta in 2000) and one Freshman of the Year (Terrell Suggs in 2000).
Prior to arriving at ASU Snyder was the head coach at Cal where he guided the Golden Bears to a 29-24-4 record over a five-year stretch.
Was named the 1990 Pac-10 Coach of the Year after leading Cal to a 7-4-1 record and only its second bowl game since 1958 season.
In his final year at Cal, Snyder directed the Golden Bears to a 10-2 record, No. 8 national ranking and a win over ACC Champion Clemson in the Citrus Bowl.
First head coaching job was at Utah State where he led the Aggies to a 39-37-1 record and a pair of conference championships during his seven-year stint as coach (1976-1982).
Member of the Pat Tillman Foundation Board of Directors.
Career coaching record: 126-106-5 in 20 seasons (.542).
