It’s bad enough to lose your opener, at home no less, by putting a paltry three points on the scoreboard. It’s even worse when the team that gets over on you plays at the Div. 1-AA level.
What level of embarrassment would it be, then, if the opposing coach came out a couple days after the fact and rubbed your nose in the mess you left on your home turf? That’s the very unfortunate situation* Kansas and head coach Turner Gill finds themselves in right now.
(*But still kinda darkly comical in a “wow, did you see that train derailment?” type of way.)
Still riding high from the 6-3 win over the Jayhawks, North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl was asked about his team’s upcoming game against fellow 1-AA school Northern Iowa. In praising his next opponent, Bohl takes a shot at both Kansas’ “docile” fans and the Jayhawks’ toughness -- or lack thereof.
“I think the environment that we’re going to play in Cedar Falls is going to be much more of a hostile environment than Memorial Stadium in Kansas. That was pretty docile,” Bohl said. “And the type of team that we’re going to be playing is going to be a much more physical, aggressive football team than KU. And quite frankly I think we’re going to be playing a better opponent. I know one school is in the Big 12 and the other one is in the Missouri Valley. I think that gives an indication on how we see Missouri Valley play and the respect we give Northern Iowa.”
Ouch. That’s just... well... mean.
Suffice to say, the Turner Gill Era in Lawrence has not gotten off to the expected start. Even worse, though, Bohl’s words may very well further cement the notion amongst a portion of Jayhawk Nation that Gill could indeed be in over his head at this point in his coaching career.
Especially the ones that didn’t want Mark Mangino gone in the first place.
(Tip O’ the Cap: Jay Binkley of 1510-AM in Kansas City)