Former Kansas State defensive end Blake Seiler, who has spent the past two years as a graduate assistant, has been promoted to assistant coach and will tutor the Wildcats’ defensive ends, head coach Bill Snyder has announced.

A letterman at K-State from 2004-06, Seiler spent the past two seasons as the defensive graduate assistant for Snyder where he assisted the defensive coaching staff in breaking down film and running the scout team. Prior to his term as a defensive graduate assistant, Seiler served as an office assistant.

“As a student-athlete and a graduate assistant in our program, Blake has epitomized the values represented by our 16 goals in a major way,” said Snyder. “He is a quality individual that excelled on the field at the position he is going to coach and has been vital to our game-to-game preparation these past two years. He is highly respected by our players, coaches and supports staff, and he fits into ‘The Family’ extremely well.”

As a player, Seiler was a former walk-on who transferred to K-State from Oklahoma State where he was a member of the Cowboy wrestling squad. The Goddard, Kan., product earned First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors during his final three years in Manhattan while becoming one of the biggest contributors on defense. As a senior in 2006, Seiler made 21 tackles, including a career-best four sacks. He registered at least one tackle in 11-of-13 games and had multiple stops six times as he helped the Wildcats earn a trip to the 2006 Texas Bowl.

“After spending eight years at K-State as a player and graduate assistant, I am very appreciative that Coach Snyder has granted me the opportunity to join his staff as a full-time assistant coach,” said Seiler. “It is an honor and a privilege to work at my alma mater, and I look forward to continuing to work with an outstanding group of coaches.”

During an 11-game 2005 season, Seiler carded a career-best 34 tackles, including a season-high seven against Texas A&M. That season, Seiler won honored with the program’s Nancy Bennett Award, representing fight, spirit and a positive nature.

Seiler saw action in all 11 games in 2004 as a sophomore, being credited with six tackles, including 1.5 for loss. He earned the Kansas State Purple Pride Award as the walk-on that displayed quality play, leadership and work ethic.

“I’m very excited about adding Blake to the full-time staff,” added defensive coordinator Tom Hayes. “He has a great combination of experience at K-State as both a player and graduate assistant, and his work speaks for itself. He is bright, aggressive, works extremely hard and is relatable to our players. He is very deserving of this position.”

Seiler graduated from Kansas State in 2006 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He also holds a master’s degree from Wichita State.

— KSU Sports Information —