Former lineman Zach Hanson set to join K-State coaching staff as student assistant

June 28, 201212:15 p.m.

Zach Hanson’s final game in a Kansas State uniform has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean his time with the Wildcats is over.

The former offensive lineman, who played a key role in K-State’s run to the Cotton Bowl last season at left tackle, is set to join the coaching staff as a student assistant in charge of offensive quality control. His main duty will be working with offensive line coach Charlie Dickey and the unit he used to be a part of as he attends graduate school.

“I’m excited to get started,” Hanson said by phone. “We have a lot of young talent and a couple starters coming back. I’m looking forward to helping in anyway that I can as a coach.”

Hanson should be able to share plenty of knowledge with K-State’s returning blockers. If not for a back injury, Hanson would currently have a shot at the NFL. That’s where his attention turned when his college football career came to an end. At 6-foot-8 and 313 pounds he received the attention of pro scouts based on his size alone, and the Baltimore Ravens invited him to take part in their rookie camp as an undrafted free agent.

But he was unable to attend. A week before the camp began, he strained his back lifting weights.

“There was no way my body could recover in time to make it,” Hanson said. “I’ve struggled with my back for a while, and I hurt myself a week before I was supposed to leave. I felt like I had a pretty decent chance of making the team, but it didn’t happen.”

Things worked out for him, though. As he tried to figure out what to do next, K-State coaches asked if he wanted to help as a student assistant. Hanson did. Now he’s waiting until summer camp begins in August. That’s when he gets to start helping K-State again.

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Position Preview: Offensive Line

Aug. 26, 20113:15 p.m.

Based on the lineups used during last week’s Fan Appreciation Day, here is what Kansas State’s offensive line should look like a week from Saturday against Eastern Kentucky:

Manase Foketi at left tackle, Keenan Taylor at left guard, B.J. Finney at center, Colten Freeze at right guard and Clyde Aufner at right tackle.

Even with the losses of Zach Kendall, Wade Weibert and Kenneth Mayfield, you pretty much know what you’re going to get with that lineup.

Foketi is a senior who started a year ago at the same position. He was good enough to win the spot and hold it all season, but he never did anything extraordinary. Aufner only started nine games at right tackle, but earned more praise from his coaches. Both should be solid returners on the ends of K-State’s line.

On the interior, where K-State will need to replace the three veteran leaders mentioned above, there are more question marks. Finney looks like a strong up-and-comer at center, but he is only a redshirt freshman.

The two guard spots seemed like a toss up heading into fall practices, and Taylor and Freeze may have to prove themselves in games to earn sustained playing time.
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Ethan Douglas likely out for a few games

Sept. 6, 201011:00 a.m.

Kansas State sophomore Ethan Douglas suffered a game-ending knee injury early on against UCLA, Saturday. Following some awkward contact at the line of scrimmage, the starting right tackle could only put weight on one foot and had to be helped off the field.

In his postgame news conference, Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said he had nothing to report about the seriousness of the injury. But today he said it will likely prevent Douglas from playing in a game or two.

“Ethan is having some MRIs as we speak,” Snyder said. “I think it’s probably going to be some time before we get him back.”

Douglas won a starting spot on K-State’s offensive line because of his work in preseason practices. Zach Kendall said he was the most improved player on the team.

Junior Clyde Aufner is listed as the backup right tackle, but Zach Hanson filled in for Douglas against the Bruins.

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