Brent Venables looks back on how he, other linebackers were molded at Kansas State

Before Brent Venables was on the sideline as one of the best defensive minds in college football, he was a linebacker at Kansas State. Venables played under Bill Snyder for two seasons back when the Wildcats were still members of the Big 8 Conference.

Over 30 years later, Venables is not the only Kansas State linebacker who turned out alright in the world of college athletics world. He played alongside Mike Ekeler (Tennessee STC), Kirby Hocutt (Texas Tech AD), and Laird Veatch (Memphis AD). From one position room in Manhattan, KS, to four guys who are all still making contributions to college football today.

Venables recently joined On3’s Andy Staples to discuss the group, saying there was a certain mindset the linebackers all bought into. They truly loved the game of football and it made them successful on the field. And when you are playing at a program like Kansas State, buy-in is quite important.

“I thought we were all a bunch of misfits and underdogs,” Venables said. “But foundationally, there was a belief system. Bill Snyder is in the Hall of Fame for a reason. He’s a developer of men. I think that’s the greatest calling of coaching, the development of people. We were bought in, we were all in before it became a popular slogan… Committed guys that believed in big team, little me.

“What sacrifice, what work ethic, outworking people, out hustling people, out thinking people, creating value for yourself. Loving one another, doing it through relationships, being passionate, and loving what you’re doing. I’ve always believed this — you’ll never be great at anything if you don’t love all of it.”

After his playing days, Venables transitioned from the playing field to the coaching world. He joined Snyder’s staff and was a part of the 1998 team that reached as high as No. 2 in the AP poll. Losing to Texas A&M in the Big 12 title game potentially ruined their chance at a national championship, something Venables admits was heartbreaking.

But as Kansas State began to see success, the mindset from Snyder and the entire coaching staff remained the same. Getting the most out of players who were maybe undervalued was critical and the core foundation of the program.

“I think that they all had this capability to get more out of less,” Venables said. “They were a believer in vision and they did a great job of creating vision constantly and pushing guys past their limits without breaking our spirits. That’s a unique ability. But they had this mindset that was relentless about becoming the best and being committed to your best that you can become the best one day.”