Bill Snyder adds former players Zach Hanson, Eric Hickson to K-State coaching staff

The Kansas State football team added a pair of former players to its coaching staff on Tuesday.

Zach Hanson, who played offensive line for the Wildcats from 2009-11, and Eric Hickson, a standout running back from 1994-98, will serve as assistants under head coach Bill Snyder next season.

Hanson will coach tight ends and assist Charlie Dickey with the offensive line. Hickson will coach running backs.

“I am pleased to have Zach and Eric back with us,” Snyder said in a news release. “Both have proven their capabilities not only as very successful position coaches and teachers, but also in the development of quality and valued young men. They both have a genuine interest in the life skills enhancement of those they work with. Having also been highly successful student-athletes in our program, they believe in and understand our program.”

Seven of K-State’s assistants used to played for the Wildcats. No FBS coaching staff has more former players coaching at their alma mater.

Hanson comes to K-State after serving as a graduate assistant/quality control coach at North Carolina.

“As a former student-athlete at K-State, I am grateful and honored to return to Manhattan to assist our football program in this capacity,” Hanson said. “I look forward to assisting Coach Snyder and the entire K-State Family in executing our mission and stand ready to help our team create a competitive culture built on a foundation of hard work, discipline, positive energy and dedication to winning championships on and off the football field.”

Hickson ranks fifth in school history with 2,537 career rushing yards. He comes to K-State after serving as an assistant at Akron, where he also coached running backs.

“I am beyond excited to return to K-State,” Hickson said. “I was very blessed to be able to play for Coach Snyder, and it is an honor to be under his tutelage again as a coach. I look forward to working with all the running backs and help them develop both on and off the field.”

K-State added Hanson as an extra assistant, available to all teams under new NCAA rules this month. Hickson replaces former offensive coordinator Dana Dimel, who coached running backs at K-State before taking the head coaching position at UTEP.

This story was originally published January 16, 2018 at 11:03 AM with the headline "Bill Snyder adds former players Zach Hanson, Eric Hickson to K-State coaching staff."