Just 2 months ago, his Kent State University football team beat Kansas University’s Jayhawks 31-17 at Memorial Stadium. Today, Glen Mason officially became the Jayhawks’ head football coach.
“Needless to say, I had no idea when we left Lawrence on Sept. 19 that I’d be returning to the University of Kansas as soon as I did,” Mason said this morning at a Holidome press conference announcing his hiring.
KU athletic director Bob Fredrick introduced Mason and his wife, Sally, to a gathering of media, alumni and friends. Frederick confirmed he was relieved the search to find a replacement for Bob Valesente, fired on Nov. 23, was finally over.
“For the 37th night in a row I didn’t sleep well,” Frederick said with a smile. “But last night it was for a different reason. This time it was because I was tremendously excited.”
FREDERICK chose Mason, a 37-year-old native of Colonia, N.J., from a group of four finalists that also included former USC coach Ted Tollner, former KU All-American and assistant coach John Hadl and Appalachian State head coach Sparky Woods.
Mason was apparently Frederick’s first choice after an attempt to land Earle Bruce fell through, but Frederick had to wait because Mason was also in the running for Bruce’s old job at Ohio State.
On Tuesday, it was learned that Arizona State’s John Cooper was Ohio State’s choice, and Mason agreed to take the Kansas job.
“YOU’VE GOTTA realize that’s my alma mater,” said Mason, who also coached at Ohio State for eight seasons under Bruce, “and I have a great feeling for my institution. I was very interested in Kansas. But I don’t look on the University of Kansas as a second choice at all.”
Frederick announced that Mason has been given a five-year contract with a starting salary of $78,000 a year. Valesente, who was fired after compiling a 4-17-1 record in two seasons, was earning $72,100.
Mason, who said he will take over here as soon as possible, stressed he didn’t consider the KU post a rebuilding job.
“You’ll never hear me talk about rebuilding,” he stressed. “I’ll never use that word.”
MASON ALSO said he wasn’t the type of coach who believed in wholesale junior college recruiting, although he added he wasn’t against brining in a few juco players to fill gaps.”
Also, Mason made no promises for next season and beyond.
“The only thing I want to concentrate on is the things we can control immediately,” he said. “The No. 1 thing we have to change is attitude. We’re gonna go to work on that. we will change the attitude.”
Recruiting is a priority, too, of course, and Mason conceded he’s lost a lot of time.
“Yeah, I haven’t even started yet,” he smiled. “But you’ve gotta overcome that. You have to become a better salesman. We’ll get our share.”
MASON HINTED that he expected a couple of members of his staff at Kent State to accompany him here and that he planned to meet with members of Valesente’s staff.
“I have some definite ideas,” he said about the formulation of his staff, “but I don’t want to get into specifics.”
Mason also emphasized his commitment to academics, saying: “The No. 1 ingredient for success in college football is a desire for academic excellence.”
Frederick mentioned Mason’s stance on academics and also praised him for “his great energy and enthusiasm. His football teams reflect that. I believe in a short period of time Glen Mason will establish a definite atmosphere of enthusiasm and confidence.”
