Kansas State's Hayes retires; Seiler promoted to DC

Kansas State defensive coordinator Tom Hayes has retired, ending a coaching career that spans more than four decades. Hayes called it quits after spending seven seasons -- the past six as defensive coordinator -- with the Wildcats, the school announced. He will remain on the staff as a quality control assistant through the end of his current contract, which expires in April. Blake Seiler was promoted to defensive coordinator after serving as linebackers coach for Kansas State this past season. Seiler played collegiately at the school and coached defensive ends at his alma mater from 2013-16. In addition, Brian Norwood was named as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. "We are very fortunate to have coaches like Blake Seiler, who is well prepared to step into the coordinator role," head coach Bill Snyder said in a statement. "Blake is a bright young man, quick learner, hard worker and well-received and trusted by our players. He helped coordinate our defense this past year with emphasis on our run defense. Blake is highly respected by our staff and players for his values as well as his passionate teaching. ... "I am so very pleased to have Brian Norwood join our staff as our secondary coach and co-defensive coordinator. He comes to us highly recommended by many coaches who I highly respect. Brian is truly a K-State type of person. He is a caring, loyal, genuine, disciplined, hard-working and responsible person with the highest value system -- a great family man and a man of faith. We are honored to have he and his wonderful wife Tiffiney, along with his children, join our Wildcat family." Hayes' coaching career spanned more than 40 years dating to 1977, including stops with the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints. He has served as the defensive coordinator at UCLA, Oklahoma, Stanford and Kansas over his long career. Hayes also was the interim head coach at Kansas in 2001. At the NFL level, Hayes was the defensive backs coach for the Redskins for five seasons (1995-99) and held the same position with the Saints in the 2006-07 seasons. New Orleans had the top-ranked pass defense in 2006. Kansas State will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball in 2018. Wide receivers coach Andre Coleman was elevated to offensive coordinator after Dana Dimel left to take the head coaching job at UTEP