Barfknecht: Rocked 'Hawks, and Mangino moves closer to being ex-coach

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As Mark Mangino left the interview room Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium, the only thing missing was a rousing rendition of the song “My Way.''

The Kansas football coach, who looks on the verge of becoming the ex-coach, was in no mood after a 41-39 loss to Missouri to offer any mea culpas or concession speeches for his eight years of work at KU.

The man known as “Bear,'' who has been accused by some current and former players of abusive behavior, spoke calmly but forcefully when asked about his future.

“I don't have anything to say to any decision-makers,'' he said, before reciting a motto:

“I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees.''

KU Athletic Director Lew Perkins is the man who can make the first part of that happen.

Perkins, who didn't hire Mangino, stood about 5 to 10 yards away from his coach for much of the fourth quarter. As little as those two see eye to eye, it might as well have been 5 to 10 miles.

Perkins began an internal investigation of Mangino about two weeks ago when the first complaints surfaced. Ensuing days brought more newspaper reports of fractious behavior, stretching back to his days as a prep coach in 1990.

While on the sidelines Saturday, Perkins greeted a few sportswriters but mostly kept to himself.

By the time the 27-yard field goal from Missouri's Grant Ressel got through the goal posts on the game's final play, the boss was gone — stretching his streak of no public comment on the matter to 12 straight days.

Mangino, meanwhile, talked our ears off about doing it “my way.''

He said he plans to be the coach at Kansas next season, then was asked to assess how likely that is.

“Why don't you ask the decision-makers that,'' Mangino said. “I've been answering a lot of questions for two weeks. I've been up front with nothing to hide.''

Kansas hasn't told Mangino when the investigation will end, and he hasn't spoken to the person running it.

What if Mangino were asked to change his discipline-heavy style in order to stay on the job?

“You're coming to the assumption that it needs toning down,'' he said. “How I coach is how I coach, and 99 percent of the kids here appreciate it.

“I run the program the right way. I'm proud of it. We're not going to change. There's nothing to change.''

OK.

Then what about the common theme to the complaints about Mangino: that he belittles and bullies players and staff. Any regrets in how he has treated people?

“Absolutely not,'' he said. “Let me tell you something. Everybody has a different perception of people, especially when you have a profile such as a college football coach.

“I will tell you I may be one of the more pleasant people to deal with in college football. Trust me.''

Catching the drift yet that Mangino isn't interested in any kiss-and-make-up session with KU administrators?

One telling sign when news broke about the investigation is how few people came to Mangino's defense, and how long it took for the ones who did.

But he got some tributes after the game:

• Senior quarterback Todd Reesing: “I had a great time playing for Coach. He's given me an opportunity to play Division I that pretty much no one else did. He's done a lot for this program, and I love the guy to death.”

• Sophomore tight end Tim Biere out of Omaha Westside, who set up a touchdown with a 33-yard reception: “I respect the man greatly. He has done so much for this program.''

Still, this season's dramatic dropoff has brought Mangino's career under scrutiny.

The Jayhawks, 5-0 and ranked No. 17 on Oct. 11, saw their four-year run of bowl eligibility stopped by going 0-7 from there.

“There aren't words for that,'' KU senior tailback Jake Sharp said, staring into space. “Even the best statistician wouldn't have seen this coming.''

So who will be the next coach at Kansas?

Perkins is a swing-for-the-fences guy, with the clout to nail a home run. And the budget and a spot in the Big 12 North Division is attractive. But don't count out ex-Jayhawk quarterback Nolan Cromwell, who spent several years in the NFL and now is offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.

Mangino, who would be due a $6.6 million buyout if let go without cause, isn't conceding anything.

“When I was hired at Kansas, they told me they definitely needed structure and discipline in the football program,'' he said. “They said it was the key thing.

“I've done that the right way, and I feel good about it.''

Missouri.............3 10 20 8—41

Kansas.................14 7 7 11—39

First Quarter

Kan—Briscoe 7 pass from Reesing (Branstetter kick), 6:40.

Mo—FG Ressel 43, 3:52.

Kan—Reesing 1 run (Branstetter kick), 1:04.

Second Quarter

Mo—D.Washington 1 run (Ressel kick), 5:49.

Kan—Meier 8 pass from Reesing (Branstetter kick), 3:03.

Mo—FG Ressel 28, 1:01.

Third Quarter

Mo—D.Washington 14 run (run failed), 13:16.

Kan—Meier 2 pass from Reesing (Branstetter kick), 7:30.

Mo—J.Jackson 37 run (Ressel kick), 5:45.

Mo—Alexander 68 pass from Gabbert (Ressel kick), 4:03.

Fourth Quarter

Mo—FG Ressel 37, 13:29.

Kan—Briscoe 74 pass from Reesing (Meier pass from Reesing), 12:01.

Kan—FG Branstetter 39, 5:10.

Mo—Safety, 2:45.

Mo—FG Ressel 27, :00.

A—70,072.

Mo Kan

First downs 25 25

Rushes-yards 35-250 19-49

Passing 303 498

Comp-Att-Int 23-41-0 37-55-1

Return Yards 19 4

Punts-Avg. 5-49.4 3-41.0

Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-2

Penalties-Yards 10-106 10-67

Time of Possession 30:07 29:53

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Missouri, D.Washington 15-111, Gabbert 17-94, J.Jackson 1-37, Alexander 1-10, Team 1-(minus 2). Kansas, Sharp 7-29, R.Lewis 3-12, Reesing 8-8, Team 1-0.

PASSING—Missouri, Gabbert 23-41-0-303. Kansas, Reesing 37-55-1-498.

RECEIVING—Missouri, Alexander 15-233, J.Jackson 5-54, D.Washington 2-8, Woodland 1-8. Kansas, Briscoe 14-242, Meier 10-54, Sharp 8-78, Biere 2-49, McDougald 2-33, R.Lewis 1-42.

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

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