Bowen, a former Lawrence High and Kansas University player, was named Kansas University’s tight ends and special teams coach on Wednesday.

“When I first started in ’96, I never anticipated it would take this long to get a full-time position,” Bowen said. “It’s been fun. It just took longer than I thought.”

Bowen, a defensive back for the Jayhawks in 1992 and 1993, joined Glen Mason’s Kansas staff as a graduate assistant in 1996. The next year he followed Mason to Minnesota before returning to work for current KU coach Terry Allen in 1998.

During those years, he was listed as a part-time aide. His title under Allen had been assistant director of football operations/video.

Now Bowen will be in charge of upgrading the Jayhawks’ special teams, particularly the punt team that performed so poorly during last year’s 4-7 season.

“That’s an area we let ourselves down in last season,” Allen said.

Allen did not have an aide in 2000 whose emphasis was on special teams. Now he does.

“Coach Allen has promised we’ll spend more time during practice on special teams,” Bowen said. “He is also allowing me to pick the personnel. The new emphasis will be to put the best players out there.”

Bowen has already been picking brains. On a recent visit to Minneapolis, he talked to UM aide Vic Adamle and to the NFL Minnesota Vikings special teams coach.

He has visited with Darrin Simmons, a former KU punter who handles the special teams of the NFL Carolina Panthers.

Bowen also plans to talk to the special teams coaches of the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks.

Bowen, 28, is a 1990 LHS grad who spent two years at Butler County CC. He walked on at KU in the fall of ’92 and saw some duty in the secondary that season. As a senior in ’93, he started at strong safety and led the team with 114 tackles.

Older brother Charley played four seasons as a KU defensive back. Charley now works in the family ditching business.