AUSTIN, Texas --- Embattled Kansas coach Mark Mangino's week got off to a rocky start and it didn't get any better as the Jayhawks rolled to their sixth straight defeat Saturday night, falling 51-20 to the second-ranked Texas Longhorns on the road.On Monday, Mangino found out athletic director Lew Perkins has launched an investigation into allegations the eight-year head coach has been verbally and physically abusive to some of his players after linebacker Arist Wright reported Mangino for poking him in the chest last Friday. Several former players have come forth to discuss the often mean-spirited abuse Mangino often fired their way.
Most expect these allegations along with a disappointing 5-6, 1-6 Big 12 record to be enough to send Mangino packing not long after next week's regular season finale.
Mangino seemed undeterred by all that's going on following Saturday night's loss at Texas Memorial Stadium.
"Distracted?" Mangino responded when asked about the distractions of the week. "Let me tell you what's on my mind. This week, it was Texas. As soon as I walk out of this room, Missouri.
"Let me tell you something that's really important on my mind. I have a player, D.J. Marshall, who's in Tulsa, Okla. in a cancer treatment center. He just started his chemotherapy this week. That's called a bad week. I've had a great week."
On paper Saturday night, it looked as though his team got hammered by Texas. But in actuality, they played with a great deal of fight and resilience that defied the storm swirling around the program right now. After trailing by 21 points at halftime, the Jayhawks came out and briefly cut their deficit to 27-13 when running back Jake Sharp raced 2 yards into the end to cap an impressive 88-yard scoring drive early in the third quarter.
Star receiver Dez Briscoe also had brilliant moments, catching five balls for 101 yards to help set up three scores. He also had a spectacular 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 11:29 remaining in the game that pulled the Jayhawks closer at 44-20.
Kansas senior quarterback Todd Reesing also had his moments in front of his hometown crowd in Austin, completing 25 of 39 pass attempts for 256 yards on the night.
"I'm really proud of the way our kids played and competed," Mangino said. "I'm proud of everything they did today. The better team won today, but our kids never surrendered, even in times when their backs were against the wll, they continued to fight."
That's certainly what Texas coach Mack Brown saw, as well.
"That team didn't look like it had any problem tonight. i thought they fought really hard," Brown said. "You don't fight that hard unless you are fighting for coaches and yourself. I thought that sent a message that those kids haven't given up yet."
The Kansas Jayhawks, who started out the season 5-0 and were at one point in the Top 20, must defeat Missouri in next week's regular-season finale to become bowl eligible. Mangino also believes his team still has fight in it despite everything going on.
"It's a united team," said Mangino, who is just two seasons removed from a 12-1 Orange Bowl season. "Let me say this to you, I am priviledged to coach these kids.
"We are a 5-6 football team, and this is one of the most resilient groups of kids I have ever been around."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I am not a Kansas fan - so I really do not care about any of the implications of this article.
However, isnt it ironic that all of these stories from the players that were bullied around and poked at and made fun of have all happened now ?
Obviously no one cared when Kansas was winning a lot of games a few years ago but now that they are having a down year, all of a sudden Mangino is this giant ogre.
What gives ?