A bad year for the Kansas Jayhawks just got worse.
The school said Tuesday that it is investigating an unspecified personnel issue involving coach Mark Mangino, the national coach of the year two seasons ago. And Mangino—his team mired in a five-game losing streak—conceded that he’s lost the support of “some people around here.”
Mangino was not present Monday night when athletic director Lew Perkins met with the entire football team. The coach, who has been dogged by anger issues during his eight seasons at Kansas, met briefly with Perkins on Tuesday but neither would say what was discussed.
Mangino insisted he has not lost the support of his players, something that was echoed by quarterback and team leader Todd Reesing.
“I haven’t lost the team, not one bit,” Mangino said. “I may have lost some people around here but it’s not players.”
Asked to elaborate, Mangino said, “Take it for what it’s worth. You decipher it and see.”
Reesing said he expected the situation will not drag on.
“They’re going to try to bring it to a quick resolve so we can get our focus and everyone else’s focus on (this week’s) game,” he said.
Mangino inherited a program in shambles in 2002 and coached the Jayhawks to their greatest season ever in 2007, a 12-1 record and Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. He was named Associated Press coach of the year and Perkins began millions of dollars worth of construction of new and improved facilities designed to put the long-struggling program on par with Big 12 gridiron powers.
University of Kansas officials are willing to talk with former players about allegations of abusive behavior by Mangino—and two former players had plenty to say on Thursday.
Former Jayhawks receiver Raymond Brown recalled how in 2007, after his younger brother was wounded in a shooting near his home in St. Louis, teammates gathered around and warmly pledged their support.
