Fambrough’s back, happy

By Gary Bedore     Dec 15, 1978

Don Fambrough was officially thrown back in the blue lake this morning.

“I guess I’ve been like a fish out of water for four years,” smiled Fambrough at a news conference at the Eldridge House. “I’ve tried to disguise it. I made a statement once that I never wanted to coach anyplace but the University of Kansas.

“I mean it. I’ll never coach anywhere else.”

Fambrough, now 56 and KU’s head coach from 1971-74, thus replaces Bud Moore, the man who had replaced him.

Athletic director Bob Marcum said Fambrough has been given a four-year deal at $40,000 a year. Moore was making $38,600 when he was fired no Nov. 16.

The news of Fambrough’s rehiring caught most people by surprise when word leaked out Monday. In fact, it caught Fambrough by surprise when Marcum first sounded him out on the idea.

FAMBROUGH WAS a member of Marcum’s search committee.

“He (Marcum) invited me over to his house one day,” Fambrough explained, “and I was thinking about a lot of candidates I could give him.

“Then he looked at me and asked if I was interested in getting back in coaching again. I said if you give me 50 blue-chip players every year, I’m your man. I thought I’d made a funny.”

A few days later, Marcum asked Fambrough again and this was definitely no joke.

“I really got excited,” Fambrough grinned. “I really did. I’ve had two love affairs in my life. One’s that lady over there (pointing to wife, Del) and the other is with the University of Kansas, and both have grown stronger over the years.”

Fambrough had resigned after a 4-7 season in 1974 when Clyde Walker, then athletic director, would not grant him a contract extension. Fambrough’s team had lost six in a row.

“I’m sure I learned a lot,” Don said, “I made some mistakes, but I think I’m better qualified this time. You can be an assistant coach for 50 years, but it’s not the same as being a head coach.

“I also want to mention Bob Marcum and Chancellor Dykes. They’ve shown confidence in me and I won’t let ’em down.”

FAMBROUGH SAYS he will take his time gathering a staff with one name a cinch to be on it – John Hadl.

“I’ll have an announcement in a day or two on John,” Fambrough said, “and I know it’s one you’ll all enjoy.”

Three of Fambrough’s former players were at this morning’s gathering – David Jaynes, Don Perkins and Odell Weidner.

“I wish they were freshmen again,” Fambrough said of that trio. “You can win with those people. I know that. We’ll start our recruiting in Kansas. I’ve always felt that way.

“Of course, if there’s a Delvin Williams down in Texas, we might go visit him,” he twinkled, eliciting a reaction from the crowd.

Fambrough was asked if the Jayhawks would be a passing team in ’79.

“Will we throw the football?” he asked rhetorically, “We’ll run a draw play occasionally.”

What about criticism he was too easy on his players during his first stint from 1971 to 1974?

“IT’S EASY to run players off,” Don pointed out. “maybe I’m more tolerant than other people. My job is to help the kids and if I can help these kids I’ll go as far as I can with them.

“I feel we’ve got great kids here. I’m real pleased with the talent coming back.”

Fambrough is in his 27th year on the KU staff. For 19 years he was an assistant under three different head men. And offensive guard when he played football for the Jayhawks. Fambrough was co-captain of the 1948 Orange Bowl team. He’s been wit the Williams Fund the last four years.

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