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KU defensive coordinator Clint Bowen celebrates after a first-half defensive stop against Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Memorial Stadium.
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Without question, it has not been the most joyous of weeks for Kansas University’s assistant football coaches.
The resignation of KU coach Mark Mangino on Thursday shook the program on multiple levels, and the three coaches selected to take on interim coaching duties — defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, receivers coach David Beaty and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Bill Miller — find themselves in a particularly unenviable position: In addition to the uncertainty surrounding their own futures, they’re charged with helping to maintain some semblance of stability within the program.
“For the time being,” Bowen said Saturday, “we’re just working hard at trying to make sure that we do as good a job as we can in turning this program over to the next guy in charge.”
Essentially, that centers on keeping the Jayhawks’ 2010 recruiting class — which currently includes 15 players, according to Rivals.com — intact as best they can.
As of Saturday afternoon, none of Kansas’ known commitments officially had backed out of his pledge to attend the school, according to Rivals, though, based on the events of the past few days, there’s a strong chance that could change by national signing day in early February.
Mangino’s resignation almost certainly has caused incoming players to re-evaluate the situation, a sentiment backed up by Jon Kirby, who covers Kansas recruiting for Rivals.
“It’s tough for a kid that’s been committed to say, ‘I’m still committed’ when they don’t know the future of the program,” Kirby said.
As an example of the way a coaching change can shake a recruits’ decision-making process, Kirby pointed to Southview (Texas) High quarterback Jacoby Walker, a player currently committed to play at Kansas.
In addition to facing significant time constraints —Walker graduates this winter and was expecting to be on the KU campus by January — he also plays a position that has the potential to be greatly affected depending on who is named Kansas’ next head coach.
“A running back runs the football and a defensive end, they rush off the edge and do their thing,” Kirby said. “A quarterback is in a system.”
“It has to (affect recruits’ comfort level),” former KU receiver/defensive back Charles Gordon said. “Because if you stay committed to a school where the coaching staff is no longer there, you’re going into a situation where it could mean you’re entering a rebuilding year, where it will take awhile for the incoming coach to get his system in place and get the program growing again.
“It’s a tough situation.”
The biggest effect, however, could very well come in the coaches’ recruitment of junior-college players.
According to Kirby, Kansas has been pursuing multiple junior college transfers —including Butte (Calif.) Community College quarterback Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers — and had made good strides with a few of them prior to a university investigation into Mangino’s treatment of players and the coach’s subsequent departure.
Kansas coaches declined comment about specific recruits due to NCAA rules prohibiting it.
With just 10 days remaining before the Dec. 16 junior-college signing day, the window of opportunity to lock up juco transfers is growing smaller by the minute.
“If you’re a junior-college football player and you’re an early signee, unfortunately, you’ve got to go back and open up your options,” Kirby said.
As committed players mull over their futures, meanwhile, opposing coaches — no doubt smelling blood in the water — already have begun descending upon recruits previously believed to be unattainable.
Current Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, Kirby said, visited KU commit and four-star Blue Springs (Mo.) High receiver Keeston Terry while in the Kansas City area last week. A coach from LSU traveled to four-star defensive end Geneo Grissom’s Hutchinson High recently, meanwhile, while a number of other opposing coaches —armed with the promise of program stability — figure to be re-opening their recruitment of players who have previously committed to KU.
“We all understand the nature of this business,” Beaty said. “And my No. 1 goal is to take care of the kids (already) here. And the way I can do that is by making sure I hold on to the best players that we have available and committed. They’ve done so much to help this program and help me; that’s the very least I can do for them.”
Despite the obvious roadblocks stacked before them, Kansas’ interim coaches say they’re carrying on in the same manner they have all season: Working hard, plowing forward, trying to keep a sense of normalcy even in the midst of a storm.
Which, as they sit in a kind-of coaching purgatory, is the only thing they can do.
“With change, there’s always uncertainty, and that creates a little bit of anxiety in life,” Bowen said. “But we knew these kids prior to this, and just because of the situation that came about, we still love the University of Kansas. We’ve all put a lot of work into developing this program and want to continue to see it be successful regardless if we’re part of it or not.
“We have a lot invested in this thing,” he added. “And whether we’re here or coaching somewhere else, we’re Jayhawks and this is part of what we’ve worked hard to build.”
Who is the funniest guy on the KU football team? September 2, 2010
Running back ready for Saturday game September 1, 2010
What is the most surprising thing about Turner Gill? September 1, 2010
Football team comes back hoping to break losing streak from last year August 31, 2010
Turner Gill press conference, pt. 4 August 31, 2010
Comments
mace221 (anonymous) says…
Clint Bowen needs to go. His coaching has been awful and giving him any say about the future of our football program scares the crap outta me.
KanFan27 (anonymous) says…
I really hope Beaty stays though. He can recruit so well. He is also from Texas and has really good connections to recruits down there. Also he is actually a very good receivers coach. I really like him all around and hope who ever we get will keep him here.
prairie_dog (anonymous) says…
This had better work, Lew, and we're off to a very poor start.
njjayhawk (anonymous) says…
Have the interim coaches showed the KU verbal commits artist drawings of Lew's pipe dream, the Gridiron Club? That would lock them up, for sure. And why is not Chancellor Gray-Little out on the recruiting trail, along with the interim football coaches, personally qualming the recruits' fears that Lew could be canned, too? Let's go all out here, get creative.
doolindalton (anonymous) says…
Here's an idea. Maybe KU could actually start looking at instate kids. There's a quarterback at Topeka HIgh who threw for over 2000 yards this season and a tight end who is 6'4" 235 who runs in the 4.7 to 4.8 range who would come to KU regardless of who the coach was.
mvjayhawk (anonymous) says…
this was the main issue i have been talking about all along. that's why the situation was handled poorly from the outset.
it creates the cloud over the program, and now the kids may bolt. this was on paper, to be our best recruiting class under MM....and now maybe, it will all be in vain.
i really hope Grissom stays...we need him bad, no matter who the coach is. a hulking athletic DE, who gets off the edge. and to lose a kid from Kansas, that would really hurt.
i think Terry is staying on....no matter who we hire, we'll throw the ball still, in some fashion. he's a good KR guy too.
i wonder how we're doing with Sims, and Edwards and Clark too. they look like impact guys as well. Dang, i hope we get a coach soon.
njjayhawk (anonymous) says…
Let's just hope Grandpa (Bill Snyder, KSU) keeps visiting in-state kids, riding on that old beat up 1950s vintage tractor pulling a fully loaded manure spreader, all in an effort to express the pride and joy of a KSU education to KSU's in-state recruits and their parents. If Grandpa keeps that up, we'll be alright in the head-to-head recruiting battles with the Mildcats. Several weeks ago, Grandpa Farmer Bill stated in the Topeka paper that "recruiting had changed" in the 3 years he had been away from the recruiting scene. I guess Farmer Bill concluded he would have to give up his tractor and manure spreader combo, and instead take to riding a mule when on the recruiting trail. Makes sense to me.
kackley (anonymous) says…
I think rather than leave Bowen should be reassigned. When he was coaching special teams we had the best special teams we ever had.
number1jayhawker (anonymous) says…
kackley, plus he is a true Jayhawk born and raised.
Maybe they could make him Director of Football Operations and then the two Matsakis brothers (one is the DFO and the other is the special teams coach) would go back to Florida. That connection didn't bring in anyone special.
Hawk1969 (anonymous) says…
You make recruiting even more difficult? Hire Turner Gill.
Cimhawk (anonymous) says…
I wouldn't poke too much fun at Grampa Bill....he owned us the first time around and he'll own us again if we don't get this fixed REAL quick!!! As far as Bowen, he's Uncle Lew's boy (rat), or he'd been gone at mid-season.....good guy....horrible coach...maybe Baker could use him for a DB coach.....Not!!!
snyder42 (anonymous) says…
mace221: You couldn't be more wrong about Coach Bowen. If there was one coach that needs to stay involved, it is coach Bowen. There isn't a coach on the staff right now that works harder or cares more about the success of the program than he does. Maybe he isn't your first choice to be the DC, but he has to be involved in some capacity. Lew has done an outstanding job in this transition to identify which of the current coaches need to be here once the new coach arrives. Those are the same coaches that all now have interim responsiblities. Trust me that wasn't a mistake. All other asssistant coaches and immediate support staff are replaceable.
lighthawk (anonymous) says…
just share w. the kids we are doing everything in our power to uncover the next Vince Lomdardi, "winning isn't the most important thing, it is the only thing."
You have the unique opportunity to be his 1st class. Nothing so sweet as being his number one class.
starting a new chain of success and you will be the 1st link.
dmb41fan (anonymous) says…
I agree with snyder42 completely, Coach Bowen has established good working repour w/kids and is an excellent coach. The athlete's on the defensive side of the ball were far weaker than the offensive side. He hasn't had any all american's to work with, Talib was already in place when Clint started working with him. When he was LB coach, he never had amazing athletes, just kids who bought into his system and that is why they did well. He coached average athletes to outperform the athletes from OU, and MU.
hawk316 (anonymous) says…
A word of appreciation for the assistant coaches is in order. These guys don't know where they'll be working next, but instead of "baggin' it," they're still doing their best for KU and our football program. That's pretty classy.
Instead of trashing them, why not let them know that we appreciate their loyalty and hard work?
Guys, a big thanks for all you've done for the KU football program in the past and for what you continue to do during an extremely difficult time. I sincerely hope that you land in a great situation (whether it be here or elsewhere).
BleedCandB (anonymous) says…
Are you guys freaking nuts? Bowen? A good coach? When was the last time KU had a defense to sneeze at? 2007. Who was the coach of that defense? Warner. Bowen was Warner's assistant (which he was good at). If you are going to keep him on staff, it CAN NOT be as the defensive coordinator. I like the guy and appreciate his passion and love for KU, but he is simply not fit to have the full responsibility of the defense. If he is playing with lesser athletes, that is his fault due to lack of recruiting them. Clint, say bye bye to your title and get ready for a "demotion" once the new coach arrives.
cstewa04 (anonymous) says…
I agree Bowen could be good in a lesser role. I believe he was also db coach back in 07, when he was youngs assistant.
Anyone have any under the radar news on possible new coaches? I've heard that Lew has actually already met with Harbaugh, very unpublicized, and have made him his #1 target. Even while he's having a publicized meeting with Gill today.
DalTXJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Interesting how a coaching change brings out the vultures looking to steal recruits. I understand how a recruit should reevaluate the environment, but it certainly does not make the decision unbiased with the likes of LSU, Stanford, and others (likely mu). I think the coaches should be concentrating on the commits and the JuCo's. This is where a change causes a temporary setback in a program.
Rivethead (anonymous) says…
Our D improved in every statistical category from 2008 to 2009. And look at how young they were from top to bottom (we started a true freshman at LB for @$%@$# sakes!).
Bowen is just fine. Ignorance is the problem.
jhokfan (anonymous) says…
Snyder42:
I could not agree more. Give a man nothing more than mud and clay and ask him to build a dam and then criticize him when it fails. Our problems this season revolved around our offense. The defense played well enough to have a winning season. If there is one coach from the current staff who should be on KU's sidelines next season it is Bowen.
thekansasboy1987 (anonymous) says…
Voice of the Cheifs Mitch Holthus said yesterday the the coach from Houston Kevin Sumlin is the Target GUY
lighthawk (anonymous) says…
wonder how much of mad mark's goodbye $ he shared with his underpaid associates?
go see movie the blind side, take your gal, it's a cute 'guy flick' about recruiting in the SEC.
lighthawk (anonymous) says…
I have a bit of business in Houston, and no doubt he is outstanding, the town is gah gah over him, however his secret sauce is to the 3-4 stars not able to get into Longhorn or AM uniforms, why leave town and go out of state, play here in front of family and friends every week.
how that message translates to north of the red river I don't see it.
KanFan27 (anonymous) says…
BleedCandB- A lot of things wrong with your statement. First its spelled Warinner. Second Warinner is our offensive coordinator and has been. Bowen was the Co. Defensive coordinator with Bill Young. Also Bowen recruits but its not just him doing the recruiting. It is not his fault for not being able to bring in high caliber recruits. Bowen is a fantastic practice guy. He can coach players he just has a problem coaching games. When it is not game day he can prepare players exceptionally well. Its just that his game plans are not top notch and his decision making is a little questionable sometimes. I very much hope we can hold on to him. I will agree that maybe he should not be the head DC but I would like him involved in some way.
mikendal (anonymous) says…
Talking about in-state recruits--there is the rugged running back, Josh Smith, from the 6-time defending state champions, Hutch Salthawks, who is available. Nobody is looking at him from the D-1 level. KU could use a rugged running back with speed, which Smith has! If only the Jayhawks had a running game to complement their passing game. . . . Like Bob Lutz said in his column from the Wichita Eagle, Perkins needs to "make a splash" with his selection, or it could get ugly, especially going head-to-head with K-State and Missouri.
jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says…
mikendal= I'm from Hutch and my parents still live there. Ive been following J Smith and he's unbelievable , plays fullback but has 4.5-4.6 speed. They also have a kid by the name of Dinwiddy(sp?) that is a speedster. They are the first team ever in the state of Kansas to win 6 straight titles and those 2 along with Grissom were a big reason why. We will regret it if those 2 go to a rival.
mikendal (anonymous) says…
jhawkdan42= I'm from Derby and am fully aware of Mr. Dinwiddie (by the way, this is the correct spelling--no big deal). Hutch did a number on us in the game in Derby. But it was Josh Smith that totally blew me away--and, I thought we had a decent defense, too! Hope he signs with the Jayhawks!
hawkman1031 (anonymous) says…
What about Bell from Carroll?
KU_Alumn_2000 (anonymous) says…
Didn't realize we had that solid of a recruiting class coming in. Hopefully Perkins can get involved and help keep these recruits...especially Terry and the Hutchinson kid. Perkins is a smooth cat...and could have some positive influence on these recruits and their decisions.
jhawkdan42 (anonymous) says…
I think Bell signed with OU
mikendal (anonymous) says…
Bell did sign with OU. He will be a Sooner next year.
lighthawk (anonymous) says…
Quick someone tell Bell stoopsie is going to N Dame for 10 million a year - taking mad mark with him as o. line coach.
then the sooner recruits 'should' be released but won't be released.
mikendal (anonymous) says…
I was kind of thinking the same thing--what happens if Stoops goes to greener pastures, i.e., Notre Dame? Do you think Bell would still honor his offer to OU?
KU_Alumn_2000 (anonymous) says…
Rivethead...we may of improved statistically...but we still couldn't stop anyone...not even Nebraska. And our D made Iowa states quarterback look like a heisman candidate. Bowen was completely overmatched when it game to preparing his defense...and scheming against the opposition.
I'd like to get a defensive minded coach for this selection.