Former head coaches silent on KU opening

By Jan Biles     Nov 9, 2001

Two former college football head coaches Jim Donnan of Georgia and Dick Tomey of Arizona said Thursday they hadn’t been contacted by Kansas University officials and wouldn’t comment about KU’s opening.

But when it came to his son, Rich Tomey, who works in the marketing department for the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks, Dick Tomey played the part of proud papa to perfection.

“He’s already gotten all kinds of good feelings just from being part of the organization,” said the elder Tomey, a KU assistant under Pepper Rodgers from 1967-70. “He’s been with them since they started. He ran their spring training for a while.”

Tomey, who just returned from Game Seven in Arizona, didn’t know whether his son would receive a World Series ring, but did say Rich traveled with the team to New York.

What Tomey wouldn’t say, though, is whether he would be interested in the Jayhawks’ coaching vacancy.

“I really can’t say at this point,” he said. “I don’t have a feeling one way or another at this point. I don’t think there’s anything to be gained about making any comment.

“I love Lawrence. It’s a great place. I love KU. But I’m not going to comment at this time.”

Tomey, who’s a television color commentator for the Hawaii football team, resigned from Arizona following a 5-6 campaign in 2000. He hasn’t ruled out returning to the coaching ranks, though.

“Certainly,” Tomey said, “but I think it would take a unique situation.”

Like Tomey, Donnan also felt it was too early to discuss the Jayhawks’ vacancy, caused by former coach Terry Allen’s dismissal last weekend. Tom Hayes, KU’s defensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach.

“I’m not going to comment on any jobs,” Donnan said. “I’m not going to comment because that’s not fair to the coach who’s there, Tom Hayes. After the season’s over, we’ll see.”

Donnan directed the Bulldogs to a 40-19 mark from 1996-2000, including victories in four straight bowl games for the first time in the school’s history.

But he was dismissed last December, due in part to a 6-14 mark against Georgia’s four biggest rivals Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida including three consecutive losses to the Yellow Jackets.

“I don’t have any thoughts on anything,” Donnan said about his future. “I’m just enjoying the time off. I’ve been playing a little golf and doing some things for ESPN and ESPN Regional, just getting my feet wet.”

The waiting game: Hayes said after practice Thursday that no decision had been made as to whether red-shirt freshman Mario Kinsey or sophomore Zach Dyer would start Saturday against No. 5 Texas.

“I need to talk to the offensive coaches,” Hayes said. “I haven’t seen the practice tapes yet.”

A decision likely will be made today.

Injury update: Hayes said he felt pretty good about KU’s health heading into this weekend.

“We’re all right,” he said. “For this time of year, we’re pretty healthy.”

He also said he anticipated senior defensive tackle Nate Dwyer (pulled hip flexor) would start against the Longhorns.

Upcoming: The Jayhawks will practice today in Lawrence before departing at 2 p.m. for their 3:30 p.m. flight. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is 11:30 a.m. at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Former head coaches silent on KU opening

By Jan Biles     Nov 9, 2001

Two former college football head coaches Jim Donnan of Georgia and Dick Tomey of Arizona said Thursday they hadn’t been contacted by Kansas University officials and wouldn’t comment about KU’s opening.

But when it came to his son, Rich Tomey, who works in the marketing department for the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks, Dick Tomey played the part of proud papa to perfection.

“He’s already gotten all kinds of good feelings just from being part of the organization,” said the elder Tomey, a KU assistant under Pepper Rodgers from 1967-70. “He’s been with them since they started. He ran their spring training for a while.”

Tomey, who just returned from Game Seven in Arizona, didn’t know whether his son would receive a World Series ring, but did say Rich traveled with the team to New York.

What Tomey wouldn’t say, though, is whether he would be interested in the Jayhawks’ coaching vacancy.

“I really can’t say at this point,” he said. “I don’t have a feeling one way or another at this point. I don’t think there’s anything to be gained about making any comment.

“I love Lawrence. It’s a great place. I love KU. But I’m not going to comment at this time.”

Tomey, who’s a television color commentator for the Hawaii football team, resigned from Arizona following a 5-6 campaign in 2000. He hasn’t ruled out returning to the coaching ranks, though.

“Certainly,” Tomey said, “but I think it would take a unique situation.”

Like Tomey, Donnan also felt it was too early to discuss the Jayhawks’ vacancy, caused by former coach Terry Allen’s dismissal last weekend. Tom Hayes, KU’s defensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach.

“I’m not going to comment on any jobs,” Donnan said. “I’m not going to comment because that’s not fair to the coach who’s there, Tom Hayes. After the season’s over, we’ll see.”

Donnan directed the Bulldogs to a 40-19 mark from 1996-2000, including victories in four straight bowl games for the first time in the school’s history.

But he was dismissed last December, due in part to a 6-14 mark against Georgia’s four biggest rivals Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida including three consecutive losses to the Yellow Jackets.

“I don’t have any thoughts on anything,” Donnan said about his future. “I’m just enjoying the time off. I’ve been playing a little golf and doing some things for ESPN and ESPN Regional, just getting my feet wet.”

The waiting game: Hayes said after practice Thursday that no decision had been made as to whether red-shirt freshman Mario Kinsey or sophomore Zach Dyer would start Saturday against No. 5 Texas.

“I need to talk to the offensive coaches,” Hayes said. “I haven’t seen the practice tapes yet.”

A decision likely will be made today.

Injury update: Hayes said he felt pretty good about KU’s health heading into this weekend.

“We’re all right,” he said. “For this time of year, we’re pretty healthy.”

He also said he anticipated senior defensive tackle Nate Dwyer (pulled hip flexor) would start against the Longhorns.

Upcoming: The Jayhawks will practice today in Lawrence before departing at 2 p.m. for their 3:30 p.m. flight. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is 11:30 a.m. at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Former head coaches silent on KU opening

By Jan Biles     Nov 9, 2001

Two former college football head coaches Jim Donnan of Georgia and Dick Tomey of Arizona said Thursday they hadn’t been contacted by Kansas University officials and wouldn’t comment about KU’s opening.

But when it came to his son, Rich Tomey, who works in the marketing department for the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks, Dick Tomey played the part of proud papa to perfection.

“He’s already gotten all kinds of good feelings just from being part of the organization,” said the elder Tomey, a KU assistant under Pepper Rodgers from 1967-70. “He’s been with them since they started. He ran their spring training for a while.”

Tomey, who just returned from Game Seven in Arizona, didn’t know whether his son would receive a World Series ring, but did say Rich traveled with the team to New York.

What Tomey wouldn’t say, though, is whether he would be interested in the Jayhawks’ coaching vacancy.

“I really can’t say at this point,” he said. “I don’t have a feeling one way or another at this point. I don’t think there’s anything to be gained about making any comment.

“I love Lawrence. It’s a great place. I love KU. But I’m not going to comment at this time.”

Tomey, who’s a television color commentator for the Hawaii football team, resigned from Arizona following a 5-6 campaign in 2000. He hasn’t ruled out returning to the coaching ranks, though.

“Certainly,” Tomey said, “but I think it would take a unique situation.”

Like Tomey, Donnan also felt it was too early to discuss the Jayhawks’ vacancy, caused by former coach Terry Allen’s dismissal last weekend. Tom Hayes, KU’s defensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach.

“I’m not going to comment on any jobs,” Donnan said. “I’m not going to comment because that’s not fair to the coach who’s there, Tom Hayes. After the season’s over, we’ll see.”

Donnan directed the Bulldogs to a 40-19 mark from 1996-2000, including victories in four straight bowl games for the first time in the school’s history.

But he was dismissed last December, due in part to a 6-14 mark against Georgia’s four biggest rivals Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida including three consecutive losses to the Yellow Jackets.

“I don’t have any thoughts on anything,” Donnan said about his future. “I’m just enjoying the time off. I’ve been playing a little golf and doing some things for ESPN and ESPN Regional, just getting my feet wet.”

The waiting game: Hayes said after practice Thursday that no decision had been made as to whether red-shirt freshman Mario Kinsey or sophomore Zach Dyer would start Saturday against No. 5 Texas.

“I need to talk to the offensive coaches,” Hayes said. “I haven’t seen the practice tapes yet.”

A decision likely will be made today.

Injury update: Hayes said he felt pretty good about KU’s health heading into this weekend.

“We’re all right,” he said. “For this time of year, we’re pretty healthy.”

He also said he anticipated senior defensive tackle Nate Dwyer (pulled hip flexor) would start against the Longhorns.

Upcoming: The Jayhawks will practice today in Lawrence before departing at 2 p.m. for their 3:30 p.m. flight. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is 11:30 a.m. at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Former head coaches silent on KU opening

By Jan Biles     Nov 9, 2001

Two former college football head coaches Jim Donnan of Georgia and Dick Tomey of Arizona said Thursday they hadn’t been contacted by Kansas University officials and wouldn’t comment about KU’s opening.

But when it came to his son, Rich Tomey, who works in the marketing department for the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks, Dick Tomey played the part of proud papa to perfection.

“He’s already gotten all kinds of good feelings just from being part of the organization,” said the elder Tomey, a KU assistant under Pepper Rodgers from 1967-70. “He’s been with them since they started. He ran their spring training for a while.”

Tomey, who just returned from Game Seven in Arizona, didn’t know whether his son would receive a World Series ring, but did say Rich traveled with the team to New York.

What Tomey wouldn’t say, though, is whether he would be interested in the Jayhawks’ coaching vacancy.

“I really can’t say at this point,” he said. “I don’t have a feeling one way or another at this point. I don’t think there’s anything to be gained about making any comment.

“I love Lawrence. It’s a great place. I love KU. But I’m not going to comment at this time.”

Tomey, who’s a television color commentator for the Hawaii football team, resigned from Arizona following a 5-6 campaign in 2000. He hasn’t ruled out returning to the coaching ranks, though.

“Certainly,” Tomey said, “but I think it would take a unique situation.”

Like Tomey, Donnan also felt it was too early to discuss the Jayhawks’ vacancy, caused by former coach Terry Allen’s dismissal last weekend. Tom Hayes, KU’s defensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach.

“I’m not going to comment on any jobs,” Donnan said. “I’m not going to comment because that’s not fair to the coach who’s there, Tom Hayes. After the season’s over, we’ll see.”

Donnan directed the Bulldogs to a 40-19 mark from 1996-2000, including victories in four straight bowl games for the first time in the school’s history.

But he was dismissed last December, due in part to a 6-14 mark against Georgia’s four biggest rivals Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida including three consecutive losses to the Yellow Jackets.

“I don’t have any thoughts on anything,” Donnan said about his future. “I’m just enjoying the time off. I’ve been playing a little golf and doing some things for ESPN and ESPN Regional, just getting my feet wet.”

The waiting game: Hayes said after practice Thursday that no decision had been made as to whether red-shirt freshman Mario Kinsey or sophomore Zach Dyer would start Saturday against No. 5 Texas.

“I need to talk to the offensive coaches,” Hayes said. “I haven’t seen the practice tapes yet.”

A decision likely will be made today.

Injury update: Hayes said he felt pretty good about KU’s health heading into this weekend.

“We’re all right,” he said. “For this time of year, we’re pretty healthy.”

He also said he anticipated senior defensive tackle Nate Dwyer (pulled hip flexor) would start against the Longhorns.

Upcoming: The Jayhawks will practice today in Lawrence before departing at 2 p.m. for their 3:30 p.m. flight. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is 11:30 a.m. at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

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