Kansas State declines bowl bid, receives $500K Big 12 fine
By Nick Sloan
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MANHATTAN, Kansas (KMBC) — Kansas State will not play in a bowl game this season.
Athletics Director Gene Taylor said Sunday the Wildcats declined any bowl invitation following its recent coaching change and uncertainty about player availability.
He said the program did not want to field a roster that was “not representative of Kansas State University.”
“Following our recent coaching change and conversations with our player leadership and Commissioner Yormark, I determined that we will not accept a bowl invitation this afternoon,” Taylor said. “This decision was not taken lightly, but with our coaching staff transition and several uncertainties regarding player availability, I felt it was not in our best interest to try to field a team that was not representative of Kansas State University. We applaud this group for fighting back from a 2-4 record to lead us to bowl eligibility yet again, and we are happy that our seniors were able to go out on top with a victory inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.”
The Big 12 later announced a $500,000 fine against Kansas State and Iowa State after both programs opted out of the conference’s bowl pool.
In a statement, league officials said the conference must meet contractual obligations to its bowl partners but considered the matter resolved.
Both teams recently hired new coaches after Chris Kleiman announced his departure from Kansas State, while former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell accepted the position at Penn State.
K-State finished 6-6, marking its fifth straight year of bowl eligibility and 14th qualifying season in 16 years.
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