KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -Heading into what could be his final week as head coach at Kansas, Mark Mangino might still position the Jayhawks for a school-record third straight bowl game.
A victory over archrival Missouri this week would snap a six-game losing streak and make Kansas postseason eligible amid all the turmoil and controversy.
In the meantime, the internal investigation into allegations of verbal and emotional abuse by the 53-year-old coach headed into its second week. Former players have alleged that Mangino was abusive in things he said. He has not been accused of physical abuse.
It’s unlikely anything will be done regarding Mangino’s employment until the report has been completed and digested by university officials and lawyers. Mangino’s contract was extended after the 2007 season and runs through 2012.
The Jayhawks (5-6, 1-6) lost to No. 3 Texas on Saturday 51-20.
Mangino, the national coach of the year in 2007, said following the loss the Jayhawks remain united as a team.
this, I am privileged to coach these kids,” he said. “They are a 5-6 football team, it is one of the most resilient bunch of kids I’ve ever been around. I can’t give you the exact reasons for that, but I think that everything they do together really makes it a united football team.”
The Jayhawks won their first five games this year and rose to No. 16 in the national rankings but then quarterback Todd Reesing went into a slump along with the rest of the team and their season went into a tailspin. Nevertheless, a victory over Missouri in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium would make them eligible for one more game.
Texas coach Mack Brown warmly embraced his embattled opponent after the Longhorns’ victory.
“I don’t even know Mark that well,” he said later. “What I do know is that Mark’s won a lot of games. I do know that he did a great job when he was at Oklahoma as the offensive coordinator. I also know that when you can only play 11 kids, there’s a lot of disgruntled kids on football teams. I do know that for a fact. I’m not calling out those kids that have said something. He’s been there for eight years and I’ve got great respect for what he’s done on the field.”
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