Queen's Football Head Coach has been awarded the David "Tuffy" Knight Award as OUA Football Coach of the Year for the 2026 season, the conference announced at their annual awards banquet on Thursday.

Coming off the program's first Yates Cup victory in 16 years last season, Snyder led Queen's to a first place finish in the OUA standings this year, with a 7-1 regular season record. Queen's only loss in the regular season was a narrow three-point loss to the Windsor Lancers.

"Every single one of us came here because of this coaching staff.," said Queen's Football quarterback Alex Vreeken. "They're a very special group. And it comes straight from administration, athletics, all the way through the coaching staff. We all recognize it's a blessing to play at Queen's, and we'll follow these guys for anything. Really proud of Coach Snyder and the entire coaching staff. It's not just him, it's the whole group."

Offensively, Queen's ranked among the most productive programs in the country, finishing with the nation's second-best passing offence at 362.4 yards per game and third-best total offence at 496.3 yards per game. The Gaels also ranked fourth nationally in scoring offence, averaging 37.9 points per game.

Beyond wins and offensive production, Snyder has established a program built on discipline and accountability. Queen's tied for the second-fewest penalties overall in the country and ranked fifth nationally in fewest penalty yards taken.

"It's the coaching staff of the year," Snyder said. "I mean, everybody that knows football knows it's not just a head coach. The team gets divided between positional groups and units. It's all about the entire staff and the coordinators. 

"Ryan Bechmanis on defence, it's been an absolute grind and a guy who's  excelled and done such a good job here. 

"Matt Nesbitt's emerged with an incredible offence and his work ethic and creativity, he's been exceptional. 

"Charlie Taggart on special teams. What a great pickup that was bringing him in. He's really just changed the entire dynamic of that unit for the better, and he's such a great defensive coach as well. 

"And then Carter Gus was the new addition and the work he's been doing behind the scenes to help the offensive staff, it's been amazing. I don't know if the guy sleeps. He's always doing whatever needs to be done. 

"And that's what it's about. These guys have put in so much work, you have no idea. It's been an absolute grind. And then you throw all our part time guys on top of that, they all just care so much. They put in so much work. And so it's a group effort for sure. And it's nice to get the recognition for those guys."

Queen's Football also had 10 student-athletes receive OUA All-Star recognition under Snyder in 2026, with five OUA First Team All-Stars, four OUA Second Team All-Stars, and one OUA All-Rookie.

It is the second time Snyder has won the David "Tuffy" Knight Award as OUA Coach of the Year, after also receiving it in his third year with Queen's Football in 2021, after having led Queen's to an undefeated 6-0 record in the regular season and an appearance in the Yates Cup.