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Heisman finalist Klein returns as K-State coach

By WTOP Staff

DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — So many of their mannerisms are the same. So is the attention to detail, the toughness — the grit that has come to not only define them but also their football program.

In fact, the only real difference between them may be their ages.

Bill Snyder turns 75 in October. Collin Klein turns 25 next month.

So it makes sense that when Klein, a Heisman Trophy finalist for Kansas State just two years ago, gave up on his professional dreams and embarked on a career in coaching, he would return do it under the silver-haired sage who turned him into one of the best quarterbacks in school history.

“It’s an honor. I mean, I love this place,” Klein told The Associated Press recently, “and it really worked out, and I’m grateful coach gave me the opportunity. It’s the place I wanted to be.”

Snyder actually tried to talk Klein out of a career in coaching, wary of the toll it has taken on his own family. The long hours and immense pressure can be unbearable. But Snyder also remembers seeing something in Klein, back when he was leading the Wildcats to a No. 1 national ranking and a BCS bowl berth, which made him believe that one day he’d be back on the sidelines.

It may have been the way Klein pored over game film. Or the way he grasped Snyder’s complex offense. Or the way he could inspire his teammates when times got tough.

“It’s great to have him back. He knows the system like the back of his hand, and having him back will help us a lot,” said wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who once caught passes from Klein and is now picking his brain for tips and tricks as a star pupil.

“He’s been there,” Lockett said. “He knows what to expect.”

Ironically, Klein’s biggest anxiety these days is that he doesn’t know what to expect.

His official title is “quality control assistant,” but nobody can seem to give him a very good explanation of what that job entails. One day he may be breaking down game film, the next he may be doing a critique of the Wildcats’ offense. Heck, he might be the one fetching Snyder’s ever-present cup of coffee, and he insists that would be just fine with him.

“It’s very different, but very similar at the same time,” Klein explained. “As a quarterback and a player here, I had a decent feel for what went on behind the scenes, but I didn’t have any idea of how much work and all the details that needed to get done.”

Especially under Snyder, who is so fanatical when it comes to work that he once consulted with a hypnotist to learn whether it was possible to get by on less sleep.

No sense in wasting those eight — or seven or six, or five — hours every night.

“Collin’s done it. He’s been there. And he did it in a big way,” said Del Miller, the Wildcats’ longtime co-offensive coordinator. “It’s important for me to have him around the players.”

Klein is not unique in returning to Kansas State as a coach.

Co-offensive coordinator Dana Dimel, special teams coach Sean Snyder, wide receivers coach Andre Coleman, defensive line coach Mo Latimore and defensive ends coach Blake Seiler all played for the Wildcats, as did graduate assistant coach Zach Hanson.

“I read someplace that we have on our coaching staff more ex-players than anybody else in the country,” Snyder said. “I think that’s important because I know them. I know what kind of value system they have. And they know me. They know the program, and what the demands are, and they’ve experienced it. So for them to accept the opportunity to come back tells me they’re humble.”

Of course, the reason so many have come back is that they were also successful.

Klein threw for more than 2,600 yards as a senior, and his 4,724 yards passing ranks sixth on the school charts. He also broke records for career and single-season rushing touchdowns, and once ran for four touchdowns and threw for three more in a single game.

Little surprise he was a second-team All-American in 2012, winning the Johnny Unitas Award and making the finalist list for the Maxwell, Walter Camp and Davy O’Brien awards.

“What a great resource,” said current Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters. “I’d be dumb not to annoy him, I guess. He’s been through everything we’re going through. He was such a great player

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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