Big 12 hammer on Mangino: $5,000, reprimand

By Ryan Wood     Nov 18, 2004

As expected, the Big 12 Conference penalized Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino for comments made Saturday after KU’s game against Texas.

The Big 12 publicly reprimanded Mangino and fined him $5,000 on Wednesday, putting to rest a saga that made national headlines.

“I accept it, and the matter is closed,” Mangino said after practice Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to Missouri.”

Asked whether he or the athletic department would foot the bill, Mangino declined comment.

But KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said the conference fined Mangino, and Mangino would be the one paying the $5,000.

The third-year coach grabbed headlines Saturday after KU’s 27-23 loss to Texas, criticizing the officiating on an offensive-pass-interference call on Charles Gordon and hinting that Texas’ chances to land a Bowl Championship Series bid had something to do with it. A Longhorns loss would have eliminated them from the race to secure a BCS bowl bid, which produces monster payouts to the school and the school’s conference.

“You know what this is about, don’t you?” Mangino told reporters Saturday. “BCS. That’s what made the difference in the game today. That’s what made the difference in the call in front of their bench. Dollar signs.”

Mangino apologized and retracted later Saturday, but the punishment still came as no surprise.

“Coach Mangino’s public statements called into question the integrity of the conference and its officials,” Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg said in a statement. “To insinuate that games are called unfairly so that one member institution can prevail over another is irresponsible and completely baseless.”

Weiberg also stated the penalty would have been stiffer had Mangino not made a swift apology. The Big 12 put Mangino on a notice that a repeat offense of similar behavior would result in a more severe punishment, which could include a suspension.

Mangino heard the news shortly before Wednesday’s practice, and the media was informed at the end of it. The team was not told.

“I don’t think at this point, they really (care),” Mangino said. “They’re focused on Missouri. They could care less about that stuff.”

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Barmann update: Mangino said Wednesday quarterback Adam Barmann was showing marked improvement and could be cleared to play Saturday against Missouri.

“Adam Barmann has practiced very well,” Mangino said. “I still need to have medical clearance for Saturday. Our medical staff, our orthopedic doctor believes he will release him for competition.”

Barmann hurt his shoulder in KU’s 13-7 loss Oct. 30 to Iowa State. At the time, it appeared his injury was season-ending, but Mangino said the sophomore had recovered well.

Regardless of his status, Brian Luke likely will start at quarterback against the Tigers. Barmann is experiencing arm soreness common for quarterbacks who haven’t thrown in awhile, and the fact he hasn’t played in three weeks may make him rusty.

If he is cleared to play, he’ll probably back up Luke and play only if necessary.

“Our stance will be, if we can avoid playing him, we would,” Mangino said. “But if we need him, we will use him.”

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