BRISTOL, Conn. -- Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said whenever he retires, he has a replacement in mind: his son Sean.

Snyder, 75, told ESPN Wednesday in a visit to the network's main campus that when he stops coaching -- whether it's tomorrow or 10 years from now -- he wants his son Sean to replace him. Snyder has not announced a retirement date.

Sean Snyder was an All-American punter at K-State in 1992 and has been involved with the program the past 21 years, the last 19 as director of football operations. Since 2011 he has been associate head coach and special teams coordinator.

"I have a strong belief, and my preference is Sean," Snyder said. "He knows more about our football program than anyone. He runs our program. I have great confidence in him.

"It's easy to say, 'He's your son,' but I don't wish coaching on anyone," he said, adding that he would support his son "if that's what he wants to do."

Bill Snyder has been at K-State for two stints. He was named coach in 1989 until retiring in 2005. He returned in 2009. He is 187-94-1 overall.

Snyder is responsible for the greatest turnaround of a program in college football history. In 34 years before Snyder, Kansas State never won more than six games in a season and had only two winning seasons.

Under Snyder, the Wildcats have been transformed from a woeful program into a consistent winner, capturing two Big 12 championships and four Big 12 North division championships.