HC Lance Leipold launches Kansas into new era — can the school keep him?
It’s a new day in Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks' football team is undefeated (5-0, 3-0 in Big 12). ESPN College GameDay is in town for KU's clash against fellow unbeaten TCU (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday. Head coach Lance Leipold is dangerously close to becoming a household name.
Regardless of how Kansas’ season ends, it already appears to be a rousing success in Leipold's second year at helm. This is good and bad news for a school that hasn't had a winning record in football since 2008..
The good news includes a spotlight on the program not seen since 2007, when head coach Mark Mangino led KU to an 11-1 record, including a 24-21 win over Frank Beamer’s Virginia Tech Hokies in the Orange Bowl.
KU's success under Leipold also has helped lead to the announcement of improvements to the football facilities.
In the first half of 2023, the Jayhawks’ work on the Anderson Family Football Complex and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will make a loud statement to the college football world: We do more than basketball now. Get used to it.
The bad news is athletic directors are aware of Kansas' success under Leipold. Some may come calling for him, although the head coach has said he intends to stay put.
"We're happy here. We have no plans on going anywhere," Leipold said Tuesday, per The Associated Press.
Head coaching openings exist already at Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona State, Georgia Tech and Nebraska.
Are the Jayhawks willing to pony up to keep the coach who has surpassed all expectations?
Kansas is making the moves of a school ready to be a known for football, too. It soon may need to stiff-arm potential poachers and secure the man creating this rapidly increasing hype.
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