Getty Images(Don’t worry; I cringed enough for everybody.)
Nearly three years ago, Charles Barkley blasted Auburn’s decision to hire Gene Chizik over Turner Gill, claiming that “race was the No. 1 factor” in his alma mater’s choice and “a black coach… would have created a buzz.”
Chizik won a national championship in his second season on The Plains. Now, following his second season at Kansas, Gill has found himself among the growing number of unemployed coaches at the top level of college football.
The Sunday coaching bloodletting continued unabated this evening as KU became the latest to announce a change at the position, stating in a release that Gill has been relieved of his duties as head football coach. Gill was informed by athletic director Sheahon Zenger of the decision Sunday afternoon.
Zenger, who was not KU’s AD when Gill was hired, said the school owes Gill some $6 million for the remaining three years of his contract and they will fulfill the terms of that contract.
“After a thorough evaluation of our football program,” Zenger said, “I have concluded that new leadership is necessary to place us on the path toward competing for championships in the Big 12 Conference. I come to this conclusion reluctantly, because I have the utmost respect for Turner Gill as a quality individual who wants only the best for the young men he coaches.”
During his brief time in Lawrence, Gill went 5-19 — oddly enough, that was Chizik’s record at Iowa State before the Auburn hire — including just 1-16 in Big 12 play. Gill and his job security had been the subject of increasing speculation as the losses mounted, so the move comes as little surprise despite the fact that he only received two years at the school.
One more thing and as an aside: karma can be a very nasty and vindictive vixen. When your former AD is responsible for firing a head coach like Mark Mangino that deserved a raise and not a dismissal, you reap what you sow. And, unfortunately for Jayhawk fans, they’re finding out right about now just how nasty and vindictive she can be.
Harbaugh, Saban, Miles and The Vest will be begging to talk to the jayhawks.
Hire Mike Stops
watch for Jim Leavitt to come into the picture…either at KU or KSU….KU would be lucky to get him
Tim Beck
Gill made a HUGE mistake by leaving Buffalo for this gig. Now, he pays the price…
Hire Tyrone Willingham. His 0-12 stint with Washington was just a run of bad luck. He’s really a great coach.
Mike Leach has finally found a home?
Tom Bradley or Larry Johnson once Penn State cleans house.
calling Mike Leach…!
The simplest solution is usually the correct one……..a certain large man with an affinity for track suits.
KU came close to a Big 12 division title once and then started having delusions of grandeur. Time to accept that bowl eligibility is sometimes an accomplishment.
Thanks for the hose job Lew Perkins!
Turner gets the Gill-otine.
Ron’s goose is Zooked.
Luke’s future at OSU is Fickell.
And Rick Neuheisel sucks. (Sorry. I couldn’t think of semi-clever pun for Neuheisel.)
I Dom’t think 2 years is enough time. Remember, your Kansas. You’re a basketball school.
Dave Christensen (HC at Wyoming).
* you’re that was supposed to say.
Turner Gill should give UB AD a call. Bulls wish he never left Buffalo.
KU ought to be ashamed – who gives a coach just two years after he inherits a team with a losing (yes, 5-7) record?
Mark Mangino did FAR less than most people give him credit for – did you know he had just one winning Big 12 season in his 8 years? One. So how is Gill supposed to make KU a football power in two short years? Good luck. I know the Jayhawks suck – they were 8-17 in Mangino’s first two years too. His first 3 years had losing records, guess fat white guys don’t get fired as quickly?
I’m wasn’t a Jayhawk fan before, but I’ll sure be rooting hard against them and some new AD named Sheahon Zenger from now on. (Sheahon Zenger? Let me guess….KSU grad? English major? Yikes.)
By the way, anyone saying Gill should never have left Buffalo…..are you drunk? He was making less than $200K there and he made $10 million for his two years at KU. Thanks for the memories, Lawrence…..stay classy!
Christensen would be a good choice. He knows how to win in the MWC, which should be an important consideration for KU going forward.
Tell me KU, who wants this job? I don’t care how much money you give them. Somebody will take it and they will find out how bad of job it really is. Get a good money guy to invest for you for when you the Gilo…. Never mind you saw the headline!!!!
Wonder how a ” mad pirate” would work @ KU…as 4 mr gill..6 mill not bad, kick back, cerveza in hand, living la vida loca !!😏
Mike Leach would actually be brilliant for that job! He gets to coach against Tech who screwed him and play Oklahoma and Texas who he enjoys beating. KU seems a bit too conservative for him but then again Tech hired him so who knows. Rumors are quietly saying he wants the Colorado job. Makes sense actually. Boulder is almost as weird as he is and he could re-start that dead football program! Personally, I’ll say I’d take him at OU! I’m sick of Bob Stoops excuses and rude behavior at press conferences. How many times has OU been in the top ten only to lose to some rubbish team? Bob has gotten fatter, richer, and more rude as the years have passed. Sorry people for going off on such a tangent.
Frank Solich
It wasn’t just the losing…they didn’t even compete. Go back and look at how many times they had 50 or more points hung on them. It was brutal. The final game against Mizzou was the most fight I saw in that team in a Coon’s Age.
$6 million would go a long way in my wallet.
thegonz13 says:
Nov 27, 2011 6:54 PM
Gill made a HUGE mistake by leaving Buffalo for this gig. Now, he pays the price…
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I can give you six million examples of why the above statement is false. If you don’t mind, I’ll spread out my examples over the course of the next three years though.
BTW, this just in: Charles Barkley continues to prove he’s an idiot. For the record, Chuckie, you were partially right… a black head coach DID create a buzz… a 5-19 buzz. Moron. Stick to showing how little you know about basketball please.