Kansas State tabs Ludwig as new offensive coordinator

Dec 18, 2008 - 12:56 AM MANHATTAN, Kansas (Ticker) -- Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder has found the man to lead his offense.

The school announced it has hired Utah offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Andy Ludwig to take over for the Wildcats in both capacities. The 22-year coaching veteran has spent the last four years running the Ute offense under head coach Kyle Whittingham, who took over at head coach in 2005 following Urban Meyer's departure to the University of Florida.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity given to me by coach Whittingham and the University of Utah. It has been very satisfying working with the players and coaches in this program for four years," Ludwig said. "At this time, I feel the opportunity presented by Kansas State and Coach Bill Snyder is best for myself and my family. This move was provided to me by the success of this football program, which is a direct tribute to the players."

Under Ludwig, the undefeated Utes put together the highest-scoring unit in the Mountain West Conference this season, averaging 37.4 points en route to the school's first league title since 2004. The Utes were third in the league with 405.3 yards of total offense per contest.

The team fielded four players on this year's all-conference team, including senior quarterback Brian Johnson, who was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year.

Despite his new position with the Wildcats, Ludwig will still lead the offense when Utah takes on Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 2.

Along with Snyder - who returned to the school after retiring in 2005 - Ludwig will try to revitalize a program that has had a losing record in four of the last five seasons.

"It's a great opportunity for him," Whittingham told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Ludwig has spent time at eight different schools during his career, serving as offensive coordinator at Augustana, Cal Poly SLO, Fresno State and Oregon before taking over at Utah.