In two years, Kansas coach Mark Mangino has gone from National Coach of the Year to on the verge of getting the boot. Mangino is 50-46 overall, but a 23-29 conference record doesn't look too good on paper. Combined with the Jayhawks 1-5 record after being ranked as high as No. 16 in the AP Poll and starting the year 5-0, they've had a Mangino-sized implosion.
Mangino is two wins away from tying the most all-time wins in Kansas history. That's right, a coach hired in 2002 can potentially own the record of most wins in six seasons. Mangino also led Kansas to a 12-1 record two seasons ago, the best ever in school history.
So where does Kansas get this holier-than-thou football program gumption? The record for wins is 52. If a coach went .500 for five seasons in a row, they'd have 35. So why the review?
But why? Why is Mangino under investigation?
Maybe it has to do with his health. Could his weight actually be an issue? K.C. Star columnist Jason Whitlock says yes:
"This column is not an attempt to shame, embarrass or ridicule Mangino," writes Whitlock. "As you know, I’m overweight. I’m a shade over 6 feet tall and this morning, I weighed 325 pounds. (Oh, that hurt to write.) I’ve been heavier. Much.
"I can relate to Mangino’s struggle. He’s three or four inches shorter than me, and he weighs anywhere from 450 to 500 pounds. He’s a public figure in a demanding, high-stress job."
Whitlock continues to make valid points, most notably ...
"Beyond X’s and O’s, good coaching is a transference of energy. It takes a massive amount of energy to impact 100 boys on a college campus. At his age (53) and weight, Mangino cannot sustain the necessary energy level to positively influence his players. His team is being engulfed by his negative energy, a dark spirit driven by his excess weight."
Whitlock does say that Mangino would be a BCS candidate or even NFL head coach material if he lost a couple-hundred pounds.
In the court of public opinion, yes weight can be an issue. After all, America loves the fat funny guy, but the mean fat person gets shunned. And that's apparently where the issue lies. Mangino is a mean, fat guy.
Which has elevated this entire story to over-blown status. The Kansas coach simply poked a player in the chest. Is that wrong? A chest poke. Bobby Knight slapped a player across the face. We love that Bobby Knight. Bobby Knight was a winner. Mangino apparently went batsh#t in 2007 because he was getting a parking ticket in Lawrence. Up until recently, that incident never saw the light of day -- but Kansas was 12-1 then. We loved the Coach of the Year. Mangino was a winner.
Now, that the Jayhawks are on a five-game losing streak, we are starting to see the onset of mutiny. We are hearing stories of insane behavior over parking violations from two years ago. ESPN.com reports that at least one KU football players' parent isn't surprised by the investigation. Another (unnamed) source says that some players have threatened transferring because "of what they perceive as having been spoken to in an inappropriate manner." Last I checked this is football, apparently emo music and tight jeans is starting to ruin the ego's of jocks, too. Every team should hire a chi consultant. When did being a little b!^@h become cool?
“This is what comes when things aren’t going well,” Mangino said in a press conference on Tuesday. “You’re going to find disgruntled people. It’s a fact of any organization, whether it’s sport related, whether it’s corporate, any profession you’re in. … That’s life. It’s how it works.”
Personally, I smell a coup here. AD Lew Perkins, the man responsible for launching this investigation, has added interest in KU football being successful. His legacy depends on it. On the heels of the 2007 season, Perkins started renovating the football stadium, raising money in an effort to finally get competitive with the rest of the Big 12. Included in that renovation is a $34 million plan to build premium seating, which despite being a tough sell, is aimed to launch in time for next season. Apparently, no one wants to pay premium prices for a not-so premium team.
Perkins appears to be protecting his job. Fortunately for him, Mangino is an easy target and an easy person to hide behind. That makes the perfect fall guy.