Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Big 12 Coach Wants Missouri to be ‘Spanked’ for Leaving the Conference

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Pete Mundo | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 10:49 PM ET

Former Kansas head coach Mark Mangino delivered a fiery message in a video interview with WIBW sports director Andrew Lind, reigniting the Border War rivalry: “I think Kansas oughta go over there and spank them for leaving the conference.”

Mangino’s comments come as the Jayhawks prepare to face former Big 12 rival Missouri at Faurot Field on September 6, 2025. Missouri exited the conference for the SEC in 2011, and hasn’t faced Kansas football since 2011.

Here’s a look at the video from Andrew Lind.

Asked former #kufball coach Mark Mangino about renewing the rivalry with Mizzou:

"I think Kansas oughta go over there and spank them for leaving the conference." @WIBWsports pic.twitter.com/gzNResmPvz
— Andrew Lind (@WIBWAndrew) August 2, 2025

Longtime Rivalry, New Landscape

During Mangino’s tenure from 2002 to 2009, Kansas and Missouri each won four games. Under his leadership the team climbed to its only BCS bowl victory in 2008’s Orange Bowl, and Kansas’ program reached heights not seen since.

Since the Tigers left the Big 12, the programs have trended in two different directions:

Program	Wins Since 2012	Bowl Appearances	10-Win Seasons
Missouri	96–68	Multiple	4
Kansas	38–117	1 (2023)	0

Kansas’ few successes under current coach Lance Leipold, including its first bowl win since Mangino’s era in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, show momentum shifting back in favor of the Jayhawks. Heading into 2024, expectations were high for the Jayhawks, but a 1-5 start derailed the season. KU did close strong, finishing 5-7, and giving new hope for 2025.

Meantime, Missouri went 10-3 last season, wrapping the year with a 27-24 win over Iowa in the Music City Bowl. This followed up an 11-2 campaign in 2023.

Kansas returns star quarterback Jalon Daniels this fall and gets started on Saturday, August 23rd, in Week 0, against Fresno State. That’s followed by a Week 1 match up vs. Wagner. And then, it’s off to Columbia for the Border War.

Missouri currently owns a three-game winning streak in the series.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: