Why didn’t Jim Mora want to shake Bill Snyder’s hand?

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SAN ANTONIO — Brace yourself for a flurry of embeds, because this is a story that could not be a story without the existence of social media.

After UCLA’s 40-35 win over Kansas State in Friday’s Alamo Bowl, Jim Mora walked toward Wildcat coach Bill Snyder and reached out for a customary postgame handshake. But almost as soon as their hands touched, Mora turned away and shook his loose.

Here it is:

Yeah, that’s not a good look for Mora. At this point, you could probably talk yourself into arguing that Mora didn’t mean to snub Snyder — that perhaps he was called away to the trophy podium or something like that. But that was a fairly forceful shake, and it didn’t take long for the footage to spread and outrage K-State fans. Mora didn’t do himself any favors with the way he handled questions about the exchange afterward.

REPORTER: Coach, I was wondering if you could address your postgame exchange with Coach Snyder?

MORA: With regards to what?

REPORTER: As far as the handshake at the end.

MORA: I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’m sorry. Just a normal handshake, congratulate him and we go on our way.

REPORTER: It looked like there were two handshakes, one quick one–

MORA: Well, I ran into him again as I was working back to the podium. Good coach, man, he’s a great man, tremendous man. Honor to be able to compete against him.

You can watch that portion of the press conference for yourself at the 11:40 mark of this video.

Here’s the second handshake that was referenced:

Here, we get more clarity. Mora motions with his right hand as he talks to Snyder, likely expressing his unhappiness with the game-ending play — in which Kansas State safety Dante Barnett launches himself over UCLA’s offensive line as it snaps in the victory formation.

That’s not a good look either, and it violates the unwritten rule about not disrupting a victory formation. After the press conference, Mora responded further on Twitter.

Numerous players quickly backed him up too, including Brett Hundley. But snubbing Snyder on a handshake doesn’t do much in terms of protecting his players, given that the game already ended. And Mora could have snuffed out a lot of the controversy by explaining himself further in the press conference.