Advertisement
Advertisement
Tim Grunhard has been added to the Kansas football coaching staff, new coach Charlie Weis announced Tuesday.
Grunhard will join KU as the offensive line coach on Jan. 1.
Grunhard previously served for six seasons as head coach of Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee Mission. He led the Stags to five straight district titles and also the 2009 Class 4A state title.
Prior to coaching at Miege, Grunhard spent 11 years in the NFL as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, where he started 164 games. He was a second-round NFL draft pick in 1990 and earned a spot in the 1999 Pro Bowl.
A native of Chicago, Grunhard is a 1990 graduate of Notre Dame where he was an offensive lineman and member of the 1988 national championship team.
Spring game highlights April 28, 2012
Charlie Weis Jr. helps lead the KU running backs in drills April 19, 2012
D.J. Beshears makes tough catch on deep pass from Dayne Crist April 19, 2012
Highlights from Charlie Weis press conference April 10, 2012
KU football's first spring practice under Charlie Weis March 28, 2012
Comments
mikendal (KUFanSince1975) says…
Sweet!!!!!! Now if we could get a "big name" DC. This is awesome news, about Grunhard, though.
hawk316 (anonymous) replies…
I like this hire for five reasons (not in any particular order):
1) He's enjoyed success working with high school kids. This will help him as he works with the young offensive linemen in our program.
2) He was a good offensive lineman and should be able to communicate those skills to his players.
3) He brings lots of enthusiasm to the job. Love that!
4) He's a local guy who has developed roots in the area.
5) His name brings additional recognition to the program.
jhawkrulz (anonymous) replies…
#4 is overrated, but I like the hire.
Forgot things like, part of a winning tradition. Has a nice Championship Ring to go on his finger.
AzNHawk (anonymous) says…
Is Coach JB Grimes still under contract? Or will it be bought out now that Grunhard is taking over as the Offensive line coach?
jhawkclassof02 (anonymous) replies…
I think this goes without saying.
Maxhawk (anonymous) says…
No prior college coaching experience is the only negative. He should be a very good teacher of technique which is vital.
supersonicf111 (anonymous) replies…
Well he has to start somewhere. Obviously he has done a great job coaching at the HS level in his first stint!
kuilander (anonymous) replies…
he's a position coach for crying out loud, how else should he get his first shot at coaching in the college ranks??
manginodrh00lz (anonymous) replies…
You're looking at it wrong. He played for a very successful college football team and he knows what it takes to be a successful offensive lineman in the NFL which means a lot to a recruit.
LSHawk (anonymous) replies…
+1. Not to mention this will give us a shot at RB Bernie Parmalee.
LSHawk (anonymous) replies…
Sorry thats Tre Parmalee, not Bernie!!!
afilmer (anonymous) replies…
isn't Parmalee an RB?
afilmer (anonymous) replies…
i mean a QB
tical523 (anonymous) replies…
He was a standout at wide receiver but seems to lean toward DB in college. Who knows what but he is very skilled at both positions.
RCJhawks (anonymous) says…
This is a very, very, very good hire. Grunhard is the real deal.
dylans (anonymous) replies…
Agreed. Welcome aboard Tim!
1_Jaydoc_1 (anonymous) replies…
Yeah. People will look at his lack of college experience as a negative and it is certainly a question mark but not nearly as much for a position coach like this than for a coordinator. He knows the position well and I think he will have a ton of success.
Weis could have chosen from a HUGE pool of coaches for this position I am sure, so the fact that he went with Grunhard should be all of the qualification he needs.
Now we just need to pick up a big time D coordinator and my week will be a happy one.
tical523 (anonymous) replies…
Totally agree.
notabandwagonfan (anonymous) says…
Love this hire! You win in the trenches, and you lose in the trenches. It all starts up front. I can go on and on, but there is no need. Its the complete truth, and we didn't win too many battles up front this year.
supersonicf111 (anonymous) says…
Wow, what a week this has been, and it's not over yet!
rhollinshed (anonymous) says…
Great hire! Opens up Kansas City recruiting even more! Exciting times for Kansas Football!
kevsum (anonymous) says…
Very cool! It's all about the entire staff, not just the head Fred.
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says…
*woo-hoo!*
i've always been a big fan of Grunny ... I used to call into his radio show every now and then.
truehawk93 (anonymous) says…
Huge and exciting hire...next
b8es (anonymous) says…
Back-to-back home runs!
mvjayhawk (anonymous) says…
great move...and actually expected. Grunny interviewed with Mr. Weis when he started at ND. of course, both guys graduated there.
Yes, great avenue in to KC area football...you know there isn't a coach in the metro that Tim Grunhard doesn't know about....plus, he was a great offensive lineman for the Chiefs...he knows what it takes to block in various kinds of offenses.
Welcome to KU Grunny! Rock Chalk!
hbjayhawk (anonymous) says…
What an excellent choice! Anyone who knows Tim and what he has done as a coach knows that KU just landed a major catch! He is one the best technical/skill coaches at the high school level and he communication skills will translate to results for our athletes at KU. Congrats coach Weis, Dr. Zenger, and Tim! This could get interesting when the OC and DC are named . . .
KUMatt2001 (anonymous) says…
These are the kinds of things that happen when you hire a big name and proven winner! Looking forward to many more announcements!
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) replies…
*ding ding ding ding!*
beatnik (anonymous) says…
great hire, good coaching skills and a big plus in recruiting
Funhawk (anonymous) says…
Grunnie - rhymes with funny. More fun Chiefs coming. Defensive coordinator will be announced. It is Marty Schottenheimer.
drnater (anonymous) replies…
Do I hear Romeo Crennel??? lol, Weis left the Chiefs, why cant he??? ok this comment has gone far enough.
newmedia (anonymous) says…
Best of luck coach Grunhard. Now they just need to find you some hard working big bodies to work with. I'm sure they will. Rock Chalk!
KGphoto (anonymous) replies…
Duane Zlatnik: 6'4" 305, pancake factory
Tanner Hawkinson: 6'6" 293, he'll be over 300 next year.
Trevor Marrongeli: 6'2" 293, he'll be over 300 next year
Dylan Admire: 6'3" 285, center, high motor guy
Riley Spencer: 6'7" 300
Chad Kolumber: 6'8" 320
Brian Peters: 6'5" 305
Lursen, Howard, Bodenstein, Burgoon.
That's not a terrible start. I'm guessing that under Grunhard, Duane Zlatnik is going to be All-Conference next year, and Marrongeli might be Most Improved Player. Both play Grunhard's lifelong position.
I'm also guessing that the OL guys weighing in under 300 will jack that up in to the low 300s with the new strength and conditioning coach. I'm not sure why everybody was losing weight on the line last year.
Don't forget about Phil Ford. That's Grunny's guy from Miege. He's knocking out a year of JUCO and will probably be back. At 6'6" 345, he's most likely the kind of OL we will be tilting toward under Tim and Charlie.
MikeJHawk (anonymous) says…
I met Grunhard on a plane years ago when he first signed with the Chiefs. He speaks well, makes a very good first impression. I would think he will be a big help recruiting.
blackhawkjayhawk (anonymous) replies…
Also does a lot of radio. Articulate guy who will appeal to lineman recruits. Let's hope he's the Danny Manning of the big men on the O-Line!
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) replies…
An excellent comparison!
AJBoyer (anonymous) says…
This hire is brilliant. Just another guy brought in that is able to tell recruits that he knows what it takes to prepare them for the NFL. Plus, with a good offensive line, any running back can become a stud, and a 3 star QB can look like a 4 or 5 star. If Charlie can get Crist this year, and make a splash, recruits will be much easier to come by.
blackhawkjayhawk (anonymous) replies…
Dead on right. A strong o-line or d-line makes life much easier for everyone behind them.
bjejayhawk69 (anonymous) says…
great hire. Add Leavitt as DC and this would be another home run. Screw all the national pundits. I think Weis has a little chip on his shoulder and wants show everyone he can get it done at the college level.
I think it will be great to see how much they improve the current talent we have here. I think it better than most people think. To me a good majority of the problem was coaching. The one position that does need a huge upgrade is QB. Webb seems like a good kid but I don't think he a Big 12 caliber QB.
ahpersecoachingexperience (anonymous) says…
Daddy likey!
designdiva (anonymous) says…
DC--David Gibbs all the way. Perfect fit for KU. Local roots, college and NFL experience. Great recruit connections. Bring him back home to KU!
nekansan (anonymous) says…
Great hire. He is the role model of what a professional NFL player should be. He was always spoken of highly by media, team mates and coaches. He will bring his attitude of integrity, success and hard work to the Jayhawks! If the line can become half of what the Chief's line was in the days Tim was on the field they will be a tremendous asset to the team.
hawkinator (anonymous) says…
Good news keeps rollin' in for the Jayhawks... I guess we've been extra good, because Santa is bringing presents early this year.
hawkfan30 (anonymous) says…
Just read Powlus is new QB coach
hawkinator (anonymous) replies…
links links!
hawkinator (anonymous) replies…
http://www.rockchalktalk.com/2011/12/...
oh!
barackchalkjhawk (anonymous) says…
Just hired Ron Pawlus as QB's coach too. I already like where this is going.
bpeoples (anonymous) says…
Great hire!! When Gill was hired I tried to remain cautiously optimistic, but this has a completely different feel. Keep the good news coming! Rock Chalk!
amatxjayhawk (anonymous) says…
Could recruit Dayne Crist be far behind?
en1gmatikk (anonymous) says…
Shouldn't the headline read KU football 'tabs' Tim Grunhard....?
Funhawk (anonymous) says…
Hire more Chiefs! This coach would be fun as a Jayhawk: Emmitt Thomas – defensive backs coach for the Chiefs. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Chiefs Hall of Fame, Emmitt Thomas played cornerback for 13 seasons with Kansas City (’66-78) and finished his career with a franchise-record 58 interceptions.
ja3hawk (anonymous) says…
It would be nice to see Grunhard reaching out to top offensive linemen considering KU. As a matter of fact we should get all the good offensive line guys in the KC area. IMO
manginodrh00lz (anonymous) says…
Spoke with Dayne this morning...he wants to visit WI but is leaning heavily towards KU.
ja3hawk (anonymous) replies…
o'rly? You know him personally?
Kansashawk (anonymous) says…
yea, we go back
beatnik (anonymous) says…
i hope he and his family move to lawrence, i want to see our coaches be part of the community.
beebe1 (anonymous) says…
If the 'prospective' DC is in the pros, it would be Jan or later when he will be available. May have been a hokey rumor, but someone mentioned the DC guy form the 49'ers. Don't be too impatient over the DC, that is vital.
squawkhawk (anonymous) says…
Seriously? Where's the kool-aid? TG has no college coaching experience. TG is not moving to Lawrence (like CW's family). TG's coaching experience has been limited to high school. TG is not known to most kids outside of the KC area. TG has been known to have a very poor relationship with other KC HS coaches. And TG has never lived the life of a college assistant coach which is a far cry from running a local HS program or talking on the radio. I just don't see this as a "great" hire like a lot of you on this board. I don't think it is a bad hire but, seriously, this is in no way a "great" hire.
blackhawkjayhawk (anonymous) replies…
Actually it has the potential to be a great hire. Plenty of experience from playing in college and the pros combined with coaching young men. Should be an incredible recruiter - and strength guy. I see him having a big impact in getting our o-line in playing shape. I've heard the opposite - that he has a good relationship with area coaches but ultimately that doesn't matter - it matters if he can talk the kids into coming to KU.
squawkhawk (anonymous) replies…
Turner Gill had more potential to be a great hire. So much for potential.
tical523 (anonymous) replies…
The will to win is why I am excited. Just a feeling but I think he has it; he has succeeded everywhere and high school coaching can not just be overlooked especially in his short run there. I believe he will inspire greatness and demand complete devotion from his o-line. The will and passion to win, to be a hard ass and also give great compliment as he was in the trenches before, he will inspire the will to win. Can't wait.
jgkojak (anonymous) says…
TG knows what its like to win a Nat. Championship, and he did it in 1988. Reminds me of someone else we know.
jhox (anonymous) says…
Grunny is definitely a great hire. He can be our Danny Manning for offensive lineman. They can come in and learn to play for a guy who did it at the top level. As an added bonus, he has a great reputation in KC as a high school coach, and knows how to win. No question he will help recruiting here, and with a lot of kids turned off to MU because of their move to the SEC, what better time to strengthen our KC recruiting base. We can start winning more KC Mo guys...guys who Pinkel has had a lock on (with a few exceptions once Gill's staff started working the area hard last year.)
To be successful, KU football needs to win most of the best guys from the KC area. This is our opening.
tical523 (anonymous) replies…
Totally agree.
bjejayhawk69 (anonymous) says…
Hope he calls on Evan Boehm from Lees Summit West. He didn't seem too thrilled with Miserys move to the Society of Ex Confederates.