jjjjjhok (anonymous) says...

Lew Perkins is no fool. Does anyone doubt he had a solid plan before addressing the team? C'mon!

November 20, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TenaciousD (anonymous) says...

That blog on NBCSports is absurd... as is anyone who thinks Perkins is the problem here.

I find it comical when people say that he is trying to stir things up by making that statement the other day. He HAD to come out and make a statement the other day so the media didn't beat him to it. If I'm not mistaken, the media DID beat everyone to the punch (pun intended) regarding the fights between the football and basketball teams. That couldn't happen again or the athletic department would REALLY appear out of control. The former players (or pansies) forced Perkin's statement.

The Chancellors statement to support Perkins is right on. Once all the information is gathered, Perkins will have to pick a direction and go full-on based on the evidence and probably some legal advise.

Do doubt, the guy that wrote that blog is a mizzou fan.

Isn't it true that Bill Self put a clause in his contract giving him an easy-out if Perkins ever got fired? Seems I remember something like that when he was re-signed after the National Championship. No matter what happens, Mangino is definitely not worth bringing down the house.

Stay positive, Jayhawk fans. Rock Chalk.

November 20, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ricleal71 (anonymous) says...

I think this shows no respect and a lack of spine by the high up's at KU. They don't understand how sports work and Nike's and Uconn's problem with Perkin's is a good example of their lack of understanding. They are dragging our great university through the mud by not being MAN enough to bring this up when things where going well with the football program. Some of these ex-players need to think about how the real world works and how Mangino was preparing for the real hard world. They need to man up and stop being babies!

November 20, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sljhawk (anonymous) says...

Common sense is needed in this situation and little has been used. First, this situation takes place after the season. Lew has ruined the end of their career and these seniors deserve better than that. Before people start saying "No", Mangino is to blame for this because of his behavior, timing is everything and this was handled at an extremely bad time. I don't think Mangino should have made the comments about the players alcoholic father and the brother being shot. Is it worth firing him over? Simply no. He needs to apologize in person to the players for that and tell them that was wrong of him to say and understands if they don't want to play for him anymore and will help them in any way to get where they are going. He doesn't have to apologize in front of the whole team but can do it where the whole team knows what is being said to the players.
As for the ex-players coming out like Mortenson, get a life, if you really cared about your teammates you would have only talked to Lew about this instead of the whole world. He's more worried about the attention he is bringing for himself instead of letting these seniors have their moment. As for Crawford, are you kidding me, you almost killed a teammate. There was a hundred different ways to handle your situation and you picked one of the worst ones. Your coach questioned how hurt you are and you felt like you had to show him something. How about showing him half the yards you thought you were going to get. Life lesson you should have learned there but didn't, Keep your mouth shut and think before you act or speak and you still might be a Jayhawk. Could care less what he thinks.
Lew has run this situation in the ground and the university with it. His job should also be in jeapordy. Coach has done wonderful things with this program. When he took over we couldn't have won the MIAA league title. Thank you for what you have done coach but I don't know if perseption allows us to keep you. My kids know what it is like to cheer for KU football something a decades worth of children have no idea about. I also thank the players that sacraficed their body for that to happen. I hope you took advantage of the education offered to you at KU and turned it into a diploma to better your life.
This whole thing smells and if peolpe don't feel bad for these seniors then the reality of this misses you. I don't know what coach would step in after this mess and enjoy woking for a guy that is ready to throw you under the rug. Watch out Bill Self, don't poke or make a kid upset with you or you could be next. What a joke.

November 20, 2009 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

vmwskywalk (anonymous) says...

Mangino and the football team took care of their own season.

November 20, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hawk4evr (anonymous) says...

Perkins should be investigated as well. This stuff with Mangino has been going on for 5 or 6 years supposedly and now is when Perkins decides to investigate it. The head coaches are his responsibility just like any CEO is responsible for his people. It's rediculous that he throws Mangino and the entire football program under the bus at this point in time. He obviously has his own agenda and puts that ahead of the University and the football program. Unfotunately Perkins has again shown that his real interest is not in wins and losses, or graduation rates, it's in dollars. He must feel that Mangino can't help him take it to the "next level" in fund raising. If he thinks this is going to help him sell seats in the Gridiron Club he is sadly mistaken.

November 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sljhawk (anonymous) says...

Has anyone said they didn't? -walk

November 20, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hawkone (anonymous) says...

I cannot i say I agree or disagree with Mangino's treatment of players since it is all hearsay at this point and no fact. What I can say is that I stand by his ability to coach and also one of the little thought about provisions given to us to be innocentuntil proven guilty. Unfortunately the court of the media has already persecuted Mangino and it will be hard to change opinions regardless of the outcome.
The staff at KU, most importantly Lew, have handled this poorly. It is being handled more like a smear campaign that an internal review or fair investigation from my veiwpoint.

November 20, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

chicagoeddie (anonymous) says...

lets beat texas!!!

November 20, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mutt627 (anonymous) says...

Lew Perkins is the greatest sport executive in the world. Any notion that he should be fired is absurd. Lew has created Kansas Athletics into being a program of excellence. I hope that Lew stays at the University of Kansas for another 20 years! He is not only a great AD, but a great man.

November 20, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Viggo3003 (anonymous) says...

Lew Perkins has orchestrated this entire debacle in a tasteless and vindictive way. Lew is all about Lew and when the chickens come home to roost and his darkside is investigated more people will pile on than they have for Mangino and no one will be more deserving.

November 20, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hawk4evr (anonymous) says...

mutt- other than a first class basketball program, which was already well in place before his arrival, what in the world has Perkins done other than alienate fans, raise money, and build monuments to himself like his 6 million dollar barn for the rowing team to store their boats in. There has been little if no improvement in the non-revenue/olympic sports teams performances. He has made promises to the womens soccer team, the softball team, and the track and field teams since he has been here about all the improvements that are going to be made. So far nothing has been done. Perkins may be the greatest "sport executive" in the world, but he is only an average athletics director. A national power in basketball and a mediocre football program does not a "program of excellence" make. I would love to see KU be a "program of excellence", but it will not happen under Perkins.

November 20, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oldalum (anonymous) says...

I don't know why Lew is getting the blame for this. Players asked for a meeting with him, and once they had done that he was obligated to investigate their charges.

November 20, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawkerjoel (anonymous) says...

Q: What is worse than having Lew Perkins as KU's AD?
A: Having Lew Perkins become someone else's AD.

Y'all can slam sweet Lew all day long, but KUAI, KU, and the state of Kansas is far better off with him in our fold than competing against us. Fans from other programs don't hate KU because we suck - they hate us because we are successful.

College sports are about big business - plain & simple. You may not like what D1 sports has become, but Lew did not create that environment. He just knows how to succeed in it. And, as far as student athletes at KU, did you know there are more academic resources for our athletes at KU today than ever before? Athletes that want to succeed academically at KU have all the resources they need; they just need to pursue it. The same is true for any other non-athlete student at KU. Also, the publicity from KU athletics generates a ton of direct and indirect revenue for not only KUAI, but also KU in general. Donors are much more likely to give to KU Endowment when they see KU on ESPN or ABC each weekend. That money goes to scholarships, research, and other academic programs. Where else is the money going to come from when the state budget for higher education continues to shrink?

So, if you think KU would be better off without Lew, I'd like to know your details of how to make KU athletics better and more competitive in today's environment.

November 20, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kuwells (anonymous) says...

This crap is getting comical. You know, is it just me, or is this starting to get old??? Maybe starting isn't right. It is getting very old. A year plus ago when Sherron was waving his dingus on an elevator, well, you could just laugh. Then Morris caps some lady with an air rifle. Oh, boys will be boys you say. Then at rookie camp, Chalmers got busted (apparently he has a kid?) - KSU guy had the damn common sense to hide in the closet. Then Buford gets popped for a DUI. Didn't see that one coming. Then there is a fight. Then there is a fight. Then there is a fight. Then Morningstar joins the Buford driving school. Then Morris opts out of the driving school and totals a Grand AM with a couple of 16 year olds in tow. I swear, this crap makes it official. I am now a Mizzery fan. Honorary membership as a Nebraska fan is just a running back arrest away. Or did I miss this one?

Did I miss anything up there in that listing????

Bottom line. This current situation is embarassing to the University of Kansas. What the hell is next...

November 20, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CalBender Cal Bender says...

What we don't need is another North Carolina efficianado coming to our University to attempt to disrupt and debase our status in the University community. Maybe she should rejoin Roy at NC. We seem to be doing very well without him, and may continue to do well without her. As a past Chancellor Club and Williams Fund member, it's my opinion this entire matter has been blown up by someone attempting to hurt the University and should be put to bed. Ask any football player who played under J.V. Sikes about verbal abuse. We took it with a grain of salt and knew he was only trying to encourage us to be better players.

November 20, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sljhawk (anonymous) says...

We'll be exposed plenty over the week by espn and abc. Not sure the donors will like why. Maybe in their face to face meetings with Lew and their check books they can ask him. Wait, he didn't make it to the last basketball game. I wonder why?

November 20, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

westcoastjayhawk (anonymous) says...

jhjoel, I do agree with what you said, but I want to point out that there is a somewhat down side to the athletic department and their money policy. I believe that you are correct that overall the university takes in more money with a successful athletic department. However, I think there is some degree of paradigm shift in where the money comes from (which may or may not be bad). For example, virtually everyone in my family went to KU. My family has always had tickets to basketball in Allen Fieldhouse (and ALWAYS at least 6 season football tickets as well)...since the very first season it was open. There are certain members of my family who are quite well off, not as though they have billions, but quite well off. The university had been after one family member in particular to endow an academic scholarship. Then the seats at Allen Fieldhouse were stripped away from the family because, while all have been members of the Williams Fund forever, it was not the family's desire to give the additional 10's of thousands of dollars to retain the same seats. It goes without saying that the academic scholarship endowment is not going to happen. The donations by the family to the Williams Fund also have been decreased significantly. I know this has been discussed and debated forever, but several facts remain. First, the University and Athletic Department are bringing more money and are "more successful" than ever before. Second, the University and Athletic Department alienated some of those who have been there forever, like my family. Through the years following graduation the family's only tie to the University was the athletic department. When that relationship sours, the relationship with the university sours. But we are small fish, and we don't really matter. The family still loves KU, just not as much with their wallets as in the past. When the academic side comes knocking on the door asking why the change of heart in endowing a scholarship the response is simply "ask Lew Perkins to explain it to you."

November 20, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jhokfan (anonymous) says...

This is getting worse by the day. Best case scenario, Mark keeps his job, we suffer minimal damage in the recruiting area and don't lose any of our current players. No way this team can stay focused enough to play football tomorrow.

November 20, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kstrebor (anonymous) says...

This is crazy talk all of you. I think George Bush is behind this mess. I'd even go so far as saying Al Gore has is fingers in it as well. We wouldn't even typing this crap if he hadn't created the internet.

November 20, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

d_prowess (anonymous) says...

hawk4evr... I think women's soccer, women's basketball, and volleyball are pretty happy with the facilities upgrades that Perkins has overseen. Oh, and how about every sport other than basketball and football getting adidas apparel (remember nike only gave for mens basketball and football). Rowing got their boat house and there is a small little olympic sports compound planned to be built. So yeah, you are right... Perkins hasn't done anything to improve KU sports..

And Perkins was at the basketball game last night.

November 20, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

d_prowess (anonymous) says...

jhokfan, how is that the best case scenario? Best case is that he is out, we get the TCU Coach, recruits are excited to stay, current players are happy Mangino is gone, and we become a consistent force in the North.
But I do agree it will be hard for the team to stay focused for these last two games.

November 20, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

floridajayhawk22 (anonymous) says...

What about a statement supporting Mark Mangino? What about an investigation on how this situation was handled? All this for poking a player in the chest? Are you kidding me? You don't think every other coach in the nation yells at their players and has discipline in their program? Everyone should be outraged at the way this has been handled. The allegations should have been investigated and then have a statement to the public regarding their findings and then make a decision about the coach. Now every recruit will have these allegations in the back of their head regardless of whether it's true or not. The problem is that this issue was made public versus being kept within the inner circle. This is just an embarrassment to the university and its football program and will be shocked if we don't lose recruits. What if the investigation shows Mangino did nothing wrong? This is the last thing our university neede after the events that have already happened this year.

November 20, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

vmwskywalk (anonymous) says...

Lew is also responsible for the greatly enhanced television coverage for football.

November 20, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KUPROUD (anonymous) says...

Regrettably, it's time for coach Mangino to go. He is responsible for the current downspin of the program, not Perkins or the players who are bringing issues to light. Perkins, whether you love or hate him, has brought about significant progress in KU athletics, and he has given Mangino warnings about his behavior over the past few years. Thanks to Mangino for his part in raising the football program to new heights, but this unsuccessful season and this current debacle are damaging. I believe Perkins' leadership and support has put KU football in position now to attract a proven coach who is also a person of high character. Let's do it, Lew.

November 20, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

milehighhawk (anonymous) says...

Lew Perkins may ruffle some feathers, but he gets the job done.

I'm glad he's on our side.

November 20, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Prophet (anonymous) says...

KU should have contracts for Professors, Directors, and Coaches to demonstrate leadership (In case any of you have forgotten is Leading and Directing in such a way as to gain the willing obedience of the students and faculty.) and discipline without abuse and disrespect to the students and faculty. (You can be a leader and a strict disciplinarian without being abusive if you have the skill, knowledge, and ability to meet the performance requirements of your position.) The gravity of the situation and the impact to the school and the Football Program is in the hands of the AD. He should be graded on how he handles this decision with the goal of minmal impact to KU. This is the time for the AD to show his mettle.

November 20, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

316hawk (anonymous) says...

Here is the funniest part about some of you who are pro-mangino and anti-lew. You make statements like this is going to hurt our recruiting. If you would just think about it for a minute. If you believe that these allegations are going to hurt our recruiting and parents aren't going to want their kids to come to KU, then you have to think that Mangino is obviously in the wrong.

I grew up with military coaches in high school and college and coached high school for four years. I heard about every cuss word you can even imagine. I was pushed to my limits physically and mentally on a daily basis in practice. But, never was anything said that was personal. I would like one person to tell me how belittling a player builds motivation and respect? I don't see anyway that telling a player you are going to send him back home so he can get shot by his homies is going make you a better player.

I'm not saying this calls for being fired but you can't tell me it's in the best interest in molding and motivating 18-23 year old kids.

November 20, 2009 at 3:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TexasJayhawk78 (anonymous) says...

What else is a Chancellor going to say, but I support the head of any department. Then, after all this mess has settled down, she will bring them into her office and have a "come to Jesus meeting" in private. Not out in the open while the team is still playing.

I am supprised Lew did not work it out to have the meeting during half time in Austin rather than Monday in Lawrence.

The Cancellor appears to be a professional, let's hope Lew can pick up some pointers.

November 20, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CaliHawk33 (anonymous) says...

Thank you Dprowess you have taken the words out of my mouth:

d_prowess (anonymous) says...

jhokfan, how is that the best case scenario? Best case is that he is out, we get the TCU Coach, recruits are excited to stay, current players are happy Mangino is gone, and we become a consistent force in the North.
But I do agree it will be hard for the team to stay focused for these last two games.

November 20, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

November 20, 2009 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CaliHawk33 (anonymous) says...

How in the world would keeping Mangino be the best case scenario at this time? If you honestly think this you are right up there with SLJhawk.

November 20, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jayhawkerjoel (anonymous) says...

There are several issues the investigation is looking into that go beyond simply poking one current player in the chest.

We all agree that a strict disciplinarian has to tear players down to then build them back up. But, if MM fails to build them back up consistently, then his leadership skills have to be called into question. No one thinks that D1 football should be for the faint hearted, but it is counterproductive for a coach to always tear down players without an appropriate level of building up. If you tear someone down by dissing their alcoholic father, you really should do something later to build them up. If not, what was the purpose of tearing them down – unless you are just a bully. I don’t claim to know exactly what the appropriate level of “building up” is, but hopefully, the investigation will help answer that.

Is MM treating his assistants and staff in the same manner – berating them in front of other coaches and players? IMO, if he really threatened to fire Bowen in front of other coaches and players, then he is poor leader of the staff. There is no excuse for that level of unprofessionalism. That kind of public threat is only detrimental to the team – it does not inspire players to play better, it just makes MM a bully with no self-control.

Is MM treating people outside of the football program unprofessionally? There was a lengthy article in the UDK about a student-parking attendant that gave MM tickets for parking in a no parking, loading zone. Reportedly, MM ripped the student apart for several minutes and accused the student of trying to be a “big shot” for giving him parking tickets (the old, “Do you know who I am and how important I am” argument.) If true, that story is reminiscent of Bobby Knight accosting a student and ripping him a new one for his alleged disrespect. That one got Bobby fired from IU. I don’t believe other employees of KUAI are encouraged to berate staff from KU Parking who are just doing their job.

I personally don’t buy the argument that this investigation will hurt recruiting. If these allegations are true, then it is MM who is responsible for hurting KU recruiting. Lew would be remiss for not investigating these allegations. If Lew tried to brush these allegations under the rug, he should be fired. MM is right, these allegations would probably not surface if we were 8-2 right now. But, that’s like saying cancer is only a problem when you look sick on the outside. If everyone thinks you look healthy on the outside, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a cancer on the inside.

I guess we just have to wait for the results of the investigation to know if this is cancer or just a cyst.

November 20, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CaliHawk33 (anonymous) says...

And No this has gone on for 3 years, and this has reached a boiling point when you have Todd Reesing, the starting QB for us saying he is going to pooch punt vs. Oklahoma on 3rd down on the first series because he is so pissed at the fat man...Mind you this is when we were 5-1!!! At 5-1 Reesing was disheartened as was this entire team, we were supposed to improve on last year...instead we took steps back as we should have succeeded but lost 1. due to being out-coached every conference game thus far 2. nobody wants to play for him now 3. Nobody will want to choose KU over another school if he is here think from someone elses perspective you narrow minded fools.. 4. Our coaches stink and don't know what is going on anyways. 5. were not losing anything if make a hire now-> we really can only go up from here!

November 20, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Prophet (anonymous) says...

Chancellor! are you reading this? I am sure you are taking notes for the critical questions you will ask at your debrief on this investigation. Lets get this right!

November 20, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jhokfan (anonymous) says...

Dprowess & Calihawk:

I agree, your scenario would be better but is it realistic?

Given our history we have no reason to expect Patterson to come to Lawrence, let alone stay here long term. We have been drowning in mediocrity for four decades hiring one coach after another only to see them run the program into the ground or leave for another head coaching job.

Love him or hate him, Mark is the best this program can do. Were it not for his current predicament I believe he could have elevated KU football to a higher level eventually enabling us to attract a high profile coach like Patterson. Until that happens we will continue trying to run before we learn to walk. I hope I’m wrong.

November 20, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kuwells (anonymous) says...

Alright, debate this one:

What coach would want to come to KU, even before all this BS blew up? Seriously? A risk coach like Terry Allen. If he would have succeeded, he would have only lasted as long as he did. Sucess at KU would be a prmotion out to a big $$$ job. Glen Mason ring a bell?

Face it, Sir-chunk-alot is the best we could hope for. No premier program would want him. Especially with the risk if he were to vapor lock in front of 100K fans. Its only 50K at KU and that's bad enough. He WANTS to be an XII coach. Aren't we stuck with him? Back to a cream puff schedule and 10-2 soon. Right???

November 20, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Martini_Boy (anonymous) says...

Lower than N-E-W-M-A-N are miissouri fans. They always get the media to stick their foot in their mouths with baseless allgations

November 20, 2009 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

CaramelMacchMan (anonymous) says...

Lew is one of a kind. He can't be replaced. People who think Lew is the problem have no idea what they are talking about.

November 20, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Maxhawk (anonymous) says...

Oldalum is the only one here who has it right.

November 20, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

s6u6r6f (anonymous) says...

A sports program without a firm disciplinarian to smack heads and cuss out players who make mistakes will never survive, yet alone thrive, in a big time college atmosphere. Just ask John Wooden.

November 20, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

remlap101 (anonymous) says...

Tough call from my vantage point on how this situation has/is being handled. In any event KU is the big, big, big loser. This university has spent far too much time in the headlines looking inept and stupid. Time to smarten up.

November 20, 2009 at 6:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TenaciousD (anonymous) says...

Lew has the fund raising to the point where we can afford someone like Gary Patterson. I disagree that MM is the best KU can do.

It's interesting that some people like the result of the increased fund raising (practice fields, stadium improvements, players lounge, etc), but they don't like to see the process of the funds being raised. Like a hot dog factory!! If you can't stand to see how the funds are raised, don't look.

CaramelMacchMan said it best... "Lew is one of a kind. He can't be replaced.". I'm not saying he should be, but MM can be replaced.

November 20, 2009 at 7:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kualuminohio (anonymous) says...

Kuwells, remember the time a Jayhawk football player got stuck in a Taco Bell drive through, Ha that was ridiculous... But you are right, some of these players just dont get there role as athletes... If you drive drunk you do not belong as a Kansas athlete.

November 20, 2009 at 7:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hawk4evr (anonymous) says...

d-prowess- I can't speak for the any of the specific programs apparently like you can but it's obvious that the womens basketball team only got what they got because of the improvements to the mens program. The soccer team got a new locker room a couple of years ago only because some of the parents on the team stepped up and paid for it. As far as that "small little olymic sports compound" you mention, that has been promised to athletes and recruits for the last 5 years. The only thing they have gotten is a real pretty color picture of what it might be someday after they are long gone. Finally, are you kidding me? You really think the TCU coach would want this job? You need a reality check.

November 20, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmfitz (anonymous) says...

i think we should try to hire urban meyer...just have the teachers take a pay cut and add all that money up and offer that to him. i mean you can't pass up 50 mill a year doesnt matter how good the team is. what do you say guys???

November 20, 2009 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hawk4evr (anonymous) says...

CalBender- You are spot on
westcoastjayhawk- I couldn't have said it better myself

November 20, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rockchalk_Mom (anonymous) says...

I guess it all boils down to this: If you want to play football at Kansas, but you can't take someone poking you in the chest, you should turn down the scholarship offer and go to another school. This player lost his starting job to a freshman. Football is a contact sport the last time I watched a game. we didn't have these complaints when we were winning. I attended a couple of early games and Mangino was a god! to hear everyone talk. Now, we are losing, and it can't be anyone's fault but Mangino's. Not the fact that our starting back was injured. Not the fact that our starting QB was injured. Artist Wright has done more damage to his teammates than if he was in a game. And as far as Lew goes, he must have attended Roy Williams' school of Timing. If KU isn't winning, Lew can't build his next "Look at what I built" on campus. I'm behind coach MM all the way. Send all those little "time-out" babies back to their mothers.

November 20, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

I pray that the people handling this deal are seeking justice and not just making a decision for what they view as the best interests of the program, given that the statements that have been made, if determined to not justify firing him are the most substantial things that would be to the detriment of the program.

November 20, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

It took a lot of courage to do what Arist Wright did. Apparently, some of his teammates agreed. Lew has done the right thing. He will complete the deal when he officially fires Mangino and we move on. There is no way we can continue on with MM as the coach. I still say he has lost this team. Tearing down without building up is not what leaders are made of. If you undermine morale, you lose the heart.

November 20, 2009 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...

If Perkins fires Mangino (and I hope he doesn't - Mangino should be given another season), at least be professional enough to do so AFTER the season. There are rumors going around that Mangino might be fired before the Missouri game. That would be classless. Perkins, remember: Your predecessor (Al Bohl, who fired Terry Allen with three game left in the season) was classless, and that's why you're the KU AD and he's not.

November 20, 2009 at 11:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

316hawk (anonymous) says...

You people saying that Mangino is not at fault for any of this and not at fault for the record and the way the team plays are absolutely ridiculous! Show me someone else in the football program that is paid enough to be a multi-millionaire. Yes the players have played bad, but it is the coaches job to motivate and bring the "BEST" out of them. That obviously isn't happening. Not saying he didn't bring the best out of the players before but it's not happing now!

November 21, 2009 at 12:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ginger2015 (anonymous) says...

troutsee: Courage is what it takes to go on patrol in Afganistan. I don't know what you would call what Mr. Wright did, but it certainly wasn't couragous.

November 21, 2009 at 4:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

okiedave (anonymous) says...

A female Chancellor at Colorado instigated an investigation against their coach for being too tough on the players and destroyed a good and rising C.U. football program which it still has not been able to emerge from after several years. It looks like Bernadette has used the same experience in her football background that the C.U. Chancellor had, and is agast that a football coach would "poke a chest" "slap a butt" "grab a face mask" "slap a helmet" and other attrocious acts of extreme violence that women abhor and would find humiliating if it happened to them. They may do this sort of thing at winning schools like Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Alabama, but Benedette is not going to have this sort of rough housing at K.U. From now on coaches at K.U. will be nice - no more of this rough football stuff.

November 21, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

Mangino is not a good coach.

Comparing whistle blowing to serving in Afgan is apples to oranges. Both take courage. However, in the latter you are doing your job, the job you signed up to do, serve in the armed forces. When whistle blowing, one is leaning into the wind and taking a great risk. It takes courage to do so.

Lew is a great AD and will do the right thing.

November 21, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jujubean (anonymous) says...

In some cases, whistleblowing is nothing more than calculated extortion. Let's not universally declare it a noble action.

On another note, didn't Lew call the meeting with the players? I keep reading references here to the contrary.

Sure wish this could have waited till season's end.

November 21, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

BTW, I think Little-Gray needs to take an English composition and grammar course at KU. Read her comment carefully.

November 23, 2009 at 4:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )