“Lew, turn the lights out when you leave,” Jennings said, grinning.

“Sure,” Perkins replied, heeding the final official order of Jennings, credited with keeping KU athletics afloat since Al Bohl was fired April 9.

Ten minutes later, Perkins wrapped up an informal question-and-answer session with a writer from his old stomping ground (Connecticut) and one from his new home (Lawrence).

Here are excerpts from the Q&A with the 58-year-old Perkins, who Tuesday was introduced as the 13th athletic director in Kansas history after serving 13 years in the same capacity at UConn.

Q: What are the biggest issues facing KU’s athletic department?

A: “Football is an issue. Finances are an issue. Morale is an issue. Confidence is an issue. I said at the press conference (that) when KU left the Big Eight, something happened (negatively to the department). I won’t dwell on why, but what we can do to change it.”

Q: What are your impressions of Lawrence?

A: “This reminds me of Iowa City (home of his alma mater, University of Iowa). We drove downtown today and I said, ‘This is what Iowa City is like with the restaurants and stores.’ You don’t make decisions based on that, but quality of life here will be outstanding. I drove 45 minutes every day to work (at UConn). Here the campus is in the middle of the town.”

Q: Why did you decide to pull the trigger and leave UConn after 13 years?

A: “I was ready for a change … I think for a while. I have been contacted several times in the past, but I wanted to finish some things. We finished the stadium (new $90 million football facility).

“Lifestyle. Security. It’s hard to say one thing. I had the greatest job in the world. Some people in Connecticut are saying, ‘You are nuts.’ I need different kinds of challenges. Kansas is an intriguing place. I’ve been here before. There are a few schools very attractive to me, and KU is one of them.

“I could give you 100 reasons. The fit feels good.”

Q: Some are saying you left UConn because the Big East may be falling apart with three schools negotiating to join the Atlantic Coast Conference. Is that true?

A: “The thing with the Big East came out of nowhere. In April these people (at KU) called me. I’ve talked to these people awhile, long before that came up. That had nothing to do with it. Like I said at the press conference, what do I say? People who do not want to believe it no matter what I say or do will believe it anyway.”

Q: What are the challenges facing UConn, besides the conference uncertainty?

¢ 6Sports video: Lew Perkins will focus on all KU athletic programs¢ 6Sports video: Lew Perkins wants to build KU’s football program

A: “The budget issue is a challenge, general money issues. It’s the same issue here. You talk to (Texas AD) DeLoss Dodds, talk to (Oklahoma AD) Joe Castiglione, the first thing they’ll say is their biggest concern is money. Talk to Ohio State and the biggest issue is money. It doesn’t matter which school, which conference. It is money. I’m optimistic, but we have to be concerned. There’s a lot of danger in college athletics in general (because of money concerns).”

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: “Not many. I like to spend time with my wife and family. Family is very important to me. I’m not one of those guys who just says it. Family is so important. I love the ocean. We have a place in South Carolina. Friends are very important to me.

“I like to golf. I’m an 18 handicap. I like to play whether it’s business or private. I don’t like to play when you are concerned about the score. In business you have to be successful. Golf is fun.

“I like to read. Pat Conroy is a friend. I like to read his books.”

Q: What do you think about the Kansas media, which overall isn’t regarded as aggressive as the Connecticut horde?

A: “There was a pretty big horde at the press conference, to be honest. There were a lot of media people here. I don’t remember any press conference with that many people at UConn. Your paper (Journal-World) had four or five people here. To me, the media has a job to do. We may agree to disagree.”

Q: When will you start on the job?

A: “We agreed to July 1. The chancellor has been great about it. We have to sell the house. We’ve been there 13 years and have a lot of people to say goodbye to. The people were great like here they will be great. We have some strong personal friends we must say goodbye to.”

Q: Who was your college basketball coach at Iowa?

A: “Ralph Miller. He was truly what a coach should be athletically and personally. I was told he was one of the greatest athletes in KU history, an All-American in football and basketball here. I stayed in touch with him all my life (until Miller’s death).

“I was a very good high school player. I tore up my knee in college.”

Q: Should people feel comfortable approaching you on the street?

A: “I love people. I love meeting and talking to people. I do like to have dinner with my wife and not talk UConn or KU athletics, but certainly I want to meet people, visit with people and make new friends.”

Q: How do you feel about your hire?

A: “This is a new chapter in my life personally and professionally. I’m very excited.”