In an update to this ongoing story, the Mark Mangino era is indeed officially over at Kansas, the school announced in a statement.
Mangino’s departure as the Jayhawks’ head coach is officially being labeled as a resignation and came at the tail end of an internal investigation into his alleged treatment of football players. The Wichita Eagle reported earlier tonight that the school and Mangino had reached an agreement on a settlement.
According to the school’s statement, that internal review has been completed, but the details of that probe will not be released -- likely as part of the agreement reached by Mangino and the university.
“We appreciate the eight years that Mark has given to rebuilding our football program,” Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins said in a statement. “He and I have reached a mutually satisfactory agreement that reflects the appreciation we have for his efforts on behalf of Kansas Football.
“As you know we have recently completed an internal review of the football program. I have been instructed by legal counsel that we cannot release any documents related to this investigation, nor any details regarding our settlement agreement. The investigation and settlement agreement will remain part of Mark’s personnel records.”
Mangino compiled a 50-48 record during his eight years at Kansas, including the first back-to-back bowl wins in school history the past two seasons. He was also named the 2007 coach of the year by multiple organizations and outlets following his Jayhawks’ 12-1 season that culminated in an Orange Bowl win.
That’s all in the past now, however, and going forward there will be a two-pronged focus as the rumored parting of ways has finally occurred.
One, just where will Mangino land next, if anywhere? The only “major” openings are at Louisville and Notre Dame, and the former seemingly has their eyes set on Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong while the latter would likely have no interest given the “baggage” that would come with such a hire.
Either way, the way Mangino’s tenure ended would likely make him a tough sell to any program in the immediate future.
And, as to the second prong, to whom will the Jayhawks turn to continue on with a formerly moribund program that Mangino helped raise from the scrap heap and turn into a Big 12 North contender?
One name that has been thrown around as a potential replacement for Mangino is UConn’s Randy Edsall. Another? Buffalo head coach Turner Gill. Gill in particular would seem to be an attractive options given his ties to the region as a former Nebraska quarterback and assistant coach, and how he’s turned around the Bulls football program.
Regardless of who takes over for Mangino, there’s no doubt that the now-former coach left the program in a whole helluva lot better shape than the one he inherited back in 2002.