Mangino says Perkins communication minimal

By Jayson Jenks

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

In his weekly Big 12 teleconference call Monday morning, coach Mark Mangino revealed that his communication with athletics director Lew Perkins had been “practically none” since the Athletics Department launched an internal investigation against Mangino last week.

Mangino said that he received a “social call” from Perkins last week, noting that the call lasted just a few minutes. He then repeated that he hadn’t had any communication with Perkins.

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Photo by Weston White

Senior quarterback Todd Reesing makes a throw outside the pocket Saturday night against Texas. Reesing passed for 256 yards and was sacked five times Saturday night.

When posed with a question on the subject, Mangino said he wasn’t sure what the proper communication level should be in a situation such as this.

“I don’t know the difference. I don’t know if there should be or should not be,” Mangino said. “You always like communication with everybody — communication with your players, your coaches, your administrators, your support staff — all those people. But I’m good. I’m fine and I’m working.”

Mangino then repeated a point he made after his team’s 51-20 loss to Texas Saturday.

“Once again,” Mangino said, “your question, perhaps, should not be directed at me if you understand what I’m saying.”

Perkins released a statement Nov. 17 stating that an internal review of Mangino was taking place. The statement preceded a report that indicated senior linebacker Arist Wright met with Perkins to discuss allegations that Mangino poked Wright in the chest

Since then, several former players have stepped forward with allegations of verbal abuse by Mangino.

Mangino said Monday that he would have preferred the situation be handled in a different way.

“If someone is going to have an investigation into something, that’s fine. I don’t have a problem with that,” Mangino said. “You would not like for it to be leaked out before anything has been done and even before the investigation actually starts. From that aspect you don’t like it. But you know what, you live with it.”

Mangino reiterated that point during his 10-minute call with members of the media yesterday. He made a point to say that Kansas’ players were focused and that the Jayhawks were zeroed in on becoming bowl eligible.

“It hasn’t played out yet, and it isn’t over,” Mangino said. “You can only focus on the things you can control in life and that’s what I’m doing.

“I talk to my players about this constantly: Let’s take care of the things we have control over. Let’s work on those The things we can’t control, we can’t let it take up our time because it will stop us from achieving what we want to achieve.”

For his part, Mangino continues to emphasize that neither he, nor his team, have lost any focus as a result of the media attention created by the internal investigation.

“You keep coaching the kids. You keep doing what you like to do. You have confidence in yourself and in your players,” Mangino said. “And you try to focus on winning games. That’s what we do here. That’s why I coach here and that’s why the players play here. They want to compete. They want a chance to win. That’s what my focus is.”

Beyond the off-the-field issues, Kansas has plenty to fix on the field as well.

Kansas has lost six consecutive games, falling to 5-6 before the season finale against Missouri in Arrowhead Stadium Saturday.

But even if the Jayhawks knock off the Tigers, six victories do not guarantee a spot in a bowl game – something that has settled in with Kansas’ seniors.

“It’s tough because if we pick up this next game, it’s our sixth win, and we’re not guaranteed a bowl,” senior defensive back Justin Thornton said. “It’s definitely important because we feel like we’ve been a big part of building the program up.”

Last year’s Border Showdown produced arguably the most memorable highlight from the 2008 season. In the final minute of the game – and with Kansas trailing – senior quarterback Todd Reesing floated the winning touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Kerry Meier.

“I’m sure a lot of people will talk about the way the game was last year and how it ended up. But for us it’s a chance to end this streak we’ve been on and get bowl eligible,” Meier said. “And of course, we’d like nothing more than to beat Missouri.”

— Edited by Nick Gerik

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