Husker Star Returns Home

By: Willie Saylor. Editor

Bryan Snyder Going Back to Nebraska

We all know how the Nebraska fans love their football. To put in perspective how endeared University of Nebraska officials were to Bryan Snyder during his time as a student-athlete on the Lincoln campus, he won the University’s Male Athlete of the Year Award in 2002; the same year Husker quarterback Eric Crouch won the Heisman Trophy!

After serving one year as Head Assistant Coach at Arizona State University, Snyder is heading back to the school where he collected 4 Big XII titles, and garnered 4 All-American honors.

Nebraska will employ Snyder as Co-Head Assistant Coach in tandem with current staff member Tony Ersland.

The vacancy in the Husker staff emerged when long-time assistant Mike Greenfield announced he was leaving to pursue duties as an Athletic Director.

After wrapping up a collegiate wrestling career that landed him first in career win-percentage in school history, and second in all-time victories, at 136-11, Snyder spent one year at Harvard as an assistant under Head Coach Jay Weiss. He then returned to Nebraska in the same coaching capacity and began his Master’s coursework. After three seasons in Nebraska in which he coached along side current Arizona State Head Coach, Shawn Charles, Snyder put his coaching career on hold as he pursued his Ph.D. in Sociology at the Colorado University in Boulder.

This season, Snyder helped coach five Sun Devil wrestlers qualify to the NCAA tournament, and played a part in a recruiting haul tabbed #7 by TOM last month.

TOM had a chance to catch up with Coach Snyder and the opportunity to ask about his career move.

WS: What factors led to your decision to return to Nebraska?

Snyder: It was attractive to go back to my alma mater. I like what Coach Manning has built. They’ve had excellent recruiting classes the last few years. There are new wrestling facilities being built. I’d love to be a part of putting together a championship team in Lincoln.

WS: Was the decision to go back to Nebraska emotional?

Snyder: It was emotional on several fronts. Obviously I have an emotional bond to the Huskers and the University of Nebraska, which was influential. But it was also emotional leaving Arizona State, the wrestlers I worked with and recruited, and of course the staff. Shawn Charles has been my mentor and my friend for several years. It’s difficult to leave relationships like that. But Brian Stith, (Ben) Askren, and (Raymond) Jordan, that’s a great staff. It gives me solace that ASU has such a strong group of leaders. There’s no doubt in my mind they’ll be successful.

WS: Do you see this as a position you’ll settle down in?

Snyder: I really do. The idea of re-establishing roots in Lincoln was something I’ve entertained. Now that this opportunity has occurred, I see myself staying there for the foreseeable future. I’d like to contribute to building the program to the ultimate level and win conference and national championships.

WS: The Nebraska roster boasts a mix of kids for you to work with as a middle-weight coach. You have a guy like Burroughs who’s a star and an upperclassmen. Then you have a great deal of young talent. What do you see on the current team and what are you most looking forward to doing in the room?

Snyder: I’ve known Jordan (Burroughs) for a few years now. I’ve gotten to work with him a little bit. I see it as my job to go in there, help him transition to a new, higher weight, continue his winning ways and to finish off his career as the best wrestler in Nebraska’s history. And you’re right, the roster is full of talented kids. The last two recruiting classes have been wonderful; full of Fargo All-Americans and several NHSCA Senior National Champions. It’s a neat dynamic to have a proven star and other talented kids who are trying to get there. A kid like Brandon Wilborn (Sr. National Champ) can watch Jordan’s work ethic and see what it takes to be at the next level.