🏀 KuBuckets Archive

It has been announced that Jeff Long the former Arkansas and Pitt AD will be the new AD at KU. His salary of 1.5M will put him #2 in the Big 12 just behind OU's AD.

Awesome hire by Girod. I think Long was the best candidate out there and KU got him. Congrats to Girod and the whole KU athletics team.

I'm kind of luke warm on this hire. Time will tell. Please save football!

Jeff Long was bought out at Arkansas because he pissed off too many boosters and others within the athletic department at Arkansas. This is a strange hire to me considering that KU needs someone who is great at fundraising to finish the Memorial Stadium project.

Combine that with his football hires being less than stellar, Bobby Petrino sleeping with a volleyball player and having another mistress while at Arkansas, Bret Bielema was not good as well.

I think KU struck big time on this hire based on Long's track record and what KU's needs were in an AD.

I really want to know how much consideration Joe Parker at Colorado Srate got for this position because he appeared to be the perfect guy for the job at Kansas.

He was fired at Arkansas because he stuck by Bert and would not fire him after a 4-7 start. To be able to lure Bert from Wisconsin was considered one of the best hires in recent history. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

He also help spearhead a $320 million campaign fund while at Arkansas with $160M of that going to renovate the football stadium.

So I would assume he knows a thing or two about fundraising. He is also one of only two guys that have been the head of the CFB playoff committee. His resume speaks for itself.

🐦 View Tweet?s=21

I’m giving this an A-. Jurich was my #1 choice but I don’t think he was ever given serious consideration. Long made 2 really good football hires in Petrino and Bielema. Arkansas has really good facilities throughout as well. He’s a super marketing guy, and former head of the CFB Playoff Commitee. Loves fan engagement too, with over 100k followers on Twitter. I for one would do backflips if he got Bielema to Kansas.

@Woodrow His two football hire at Arkansas flat out sucked. Bobby Petrino was an absolute embarrassment off the field and Bielema sucked on the field. There is no spinning that in a positive manner. Hiring Bielema from Wisconsin was not the achievement you claim it to be. It's widely known that Wisconsin is one of the cheapest schools out there when it comes to salaries and why Bielema left.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

Combine that with his football hires being less than stellar, Bobby Petrino sleeping with a volleyball player and having another mistress while at Arkansas, Bret Bielema was not good as well.

Bielema on paper was a good hire. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready to make the jump from the Big 10 to the SEC from a recruiting and speed perspective. His last three Wisconsin teams went to the Rose Bowl (although the last squad wouldn't have gone had Penn State and Ohio State both not been under sanctions). Also, coaching in the SEC West with Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M all in your division isn't exactly a picnic.

As for Petrino, you can't hold Long responsible for Petrino's personal issues. And once that stuff came out, he had to get rid of him because there was misuse of department funds and an inappropriate relationship with another student athlete (either one is a fireable offense, so pick your reason here).

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@Woodrow His two football hire at Arkansas flat out sucked. Bobby Petrino was an absolute embarrassment off the field and Bielema sucked on the field. There is no spinning that in a positive manner. Hiring Bielema from Wisconsin was not the achievement you claim it to be. It's widely known that Wisconsin is one of the cheapest schools out there when it comes to salaries and why Bielema left.

Good lord there’s a lot of BS here. Bielema was making almost $3m a year when he left Wisconsin. The state does limit assistant coaching salary pools though. Petrino won 11+ games twice in a row. At freaking Arkansas in the SEC West. Bielema took over from John L. Smith and increased Arkansas’s win total from 3 to 8 in two seasons. In the SEC West. If he went 8-5 here he’d have a statue built. If those hires sucked then we REALLY need a hire that sucks.

Gary Bedore
‏Verified account @GaryBedore

Bill Self says: "Jeff Long is among the best and most respected athletics directors in the country. He has great experience, a great pedigree, and he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest levels."

@FarmerJayhawk

Thanks for the information and context; it makes a lot more sense now.

JayHawkFanToo said:

@FarmerJayhawk

Thanks for the information and context; it makes a lot more sense now.

No problem. I think his style of play would be good for us too. Tough, hard nosed, establish the run. Control the ball.

justanotherfan said:

Texas Hawk 10 said:

Combine that with his football hires being less than stellar, Bobby Petrino sleeping with a volleyball player and having another mistress while at Arkansas, Bret Bielema was not good as well.

Bielema on paper was a good hire. Unfortunately, he wasn't ready to make the jump from the Big 10 to the SEC from a recruiting and speed perspective. His last three Wisconsin teams went to the Rose Bowl (although the last squad wouldn't have gone had Penn State and Ohio State both not been under sanctions). Also, coaching in the SEC West with Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M all in your division isn't exactly a picnic.

As for Petrino, you can't hold Long responsible for Petrino's personal issues. And once that stuff came out, he had to get rid of him because there was misuse of department funds and an inappropriate relationship with another student athlete (either one is a fireable offense, so pick your reason here).

This is a lot of well dumb to be honest. If you are not happy or impressed with this hire then there is nobody realistically Girod could have hired that you would have been happy with. Some people are like that. Just like to bitch and moan and that's fine if that is you thing.

I have literally seen over a dozen national pundits comment on this hire and every single one has been positive.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Curious, what outstanding hires did Parker make as AD at CSU ... given that the decision for a football coach after this season looms as the big one? He may have been a fine choice. Just haven't heard of any big splashes there.

But that school does seem on the uptick.

And if he hired Petrino or Bielema, would you take either of those guys? I mean, since both of them apparently suck.

@justanotherfan Actually, you can hold Long accountable for the hire because Petrino had known significant character flaws before he was hired at Arkansas going back to his first stint at Louisville and with the Atlanta Falcons.

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/06/15/In-Depth/Long-profile.aspx ↗

Here is a good profile on Long from 2015 when he was voted as the AD of the year.

@HighEliteMajor I would be doing back flips if we could get either Bielema or Petrino.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@justanotherfan Actually, you can hold Long accountable for the hire because Petrino had known significant character flaws before he was hired at Arkansas going back to his first stint at Louisville and with the Atlanta Falcons.

Cool. And I can hold him accountable for finishing 3rd in the country in 2011.

The sky is blue.

None of us really know how this will turn out. For all the naysayers, Bielema from my Badger fan perspective was a big loss. No rose bowls since, and mediocrity in the Big 10 championship game has become our reputation. Long's basketball resume at Arkansas is nothing to brag about. Zenger's was something to brag about but TV contracts were not. I will wait and see. Maintain hoops of course, and iboost football is what we'd all like to see I think. And personally, I'd like a move to the Big10, make a trade for Nebraska!

BShark said:

I'm kind of luke warm on this hire. Time will tell. Please save football!

I personally am A D stupid on this as far as his qualifications go - -don't really know anything - just don't follow that closely. - However I DO AGREE with you on - is yes please- - please save our football program. I just love College sports and at least like ALL of our programs to be at least competitive.- -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@FarmerJayhawk Again total ignorance on my part. Who is this guy you speak of? - -Coach? - -what? - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

I wanted to see if anyone wanted to argue about the color of the sky...my faith has been restored...lol.

@FarmerJayhawk GOD he wins 11 games two years in a row at Arkansas - jumpin gee hossa fats were not even close to 11 wins total in how many years? - If he can get us on track to save our really sad football program -- I'm all in - - - Plus if he can generate renewed interest in the Alum the boosters to get this project complete/funded - -HELL YA because flat out telling ya facilities are a huge part of recruiting. We get this done and were right there at least closed the gap in facilities - you can do a lot with the purposed renovation/ being funded - -all part of turning this thing around. - If he can make that connection/ spark interest- -HELL YA

jayballer73 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Again total ignorance on my part. Who is this guy you speak of? - -Coach? - -what? - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Long hired Bobby Petrino at Arkansas and finished 3rd in the country back in 2011. The guy knows some football.

@HighEliteMajor Honestly, I wouldn't take Petrino or Bielema at this point. Petrino's off field issues aren't anything I'd want associated with KU and Bielema won 27% of his SEC games at Arkansas.

There's very few coaches out there I'd choose Petrino over at this point and Bielema is gonna have to go somewhere else first and regain what he had at Wisconsin first.

KUSTEVE said:

I wanted to see if anyone wanted to argue about the color of the sky...my faith has been restored...lol.

I'll argue lol- - just for shits and grins lol - -when you wanna start - -I'll say it's Blue & gray lol

FarmerJayhawk said:

jayballer73 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Again total ignorance on my part. Who is this guy you speak of? - -Coach? - -what? - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Long hired Bobby Petrino at Arkansas and finished 3rd in the country back in 2011. The guy knows some football.

Ahh gotcha thank you for fillin me in - well gives me some hope. -- ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@FarmerJayhawk And you keep ignoring the off field baggage of Petrino which included having an affair with a volleyball player, lying about a motorcycle accident to cover another affair he was having, and that he stole $20,000 from Arkansas.

I think it’s a great hire, if you look back I posted that I think thought he was one the better guys that could come. I would’ve been fine with Parker from CSU but he hasn’t done anything great, he raised money for a new stadium for a program that hasn’t been great since McElwain left a fairly decent roster to. In regards to Petrino, Long hired a great coach but a guy that cheated on his wife (not right but recent studies show nearly have the married couples in the country are unfaithful). Time will tell if this was a good or bad move, tons of people thought Charlie Weis was a great hire and the Bill Self was a terrible hire. I know we got a guy unlike Zenger, who only had a few years at a small school (Illinois State). Zenger was a used car sales man with hair slicked back that’s all he was.

@Woodrow THIS IS A FOOTBALL POST!!! IT BELONGS IN THE FOOTBALL SECTION!!! FFS PEOPLE, COME ON!!!

end rant.

Remember how risky ANY hire is here. An AD that clashes with Bill Self will end Self's tenure at Kansas. That's really what's at stake (is that better, @Lulufulu?)

Maybe he was fired by Arkansas because some of the Hog Aumni weren't happy about him firing Petrino:

https://www.seccountry.com/arkansas/jeff-long-not-arkansas-man ↗ ↗

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk And you keep ignoring the off field baggage of Petrino which included having an affair with a volleyball player, lying about a motorcycle accident to cover another affair he was having, and that he stole $20,000 from Arkansas.

Ok, I’ll acknowledge he’s less than ideal in the character department. But he won the Orange Bowl at Louisville and the Cotton Bowl at Arkansas. He can flat coach and I’d take bowls every year with the occasional 10+ win season in a heartbeat. Self isn’t a saint either and I’m sure you’ll be calling for his ouster next.

@FarmerJayhawk What has Self done to open KU up to a potential lawsuits? Because that's what Petrino did to Arkansas.

And I was also fine with the Mangino firing as well at the time it happened and have never wanted him back either despite his success here.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk What has Self done to open KU up to a potential lawsuits? Because that's what Petrino did to Arkansas.

And I was also fine with the Mangino firing as well at the time it happened and have never wanted him back either despite his success here.

Lawsuit specifically? Not much. But the program is.. ummm... less than squeaky clean... the potential revenue loss from any sanctions are much more than a lawsuit.

@FarmerJayhawk What potential sanctions has Bill Self been connected to? Suspending a player as soon as Self is informed their eligibility is in question?

Other coaches would've played Billy Preston last year because the NCAA never ruled him ineligible. Other coaches would've played Cliff Alexander once the payments became known. If the Silvio investigation drags out into next season, guaranteed Silvio is not suited up until there is a definitive ruling on him.

So now once again I'm confused my friends - imagine that lol. Here we have a poster that says this is TERRIBLE hire , how he hired two terrible hires for Coach's and off field issues , so he is terrible? - -Yet I in turn, turned right around and read this elsewhere:

Joe Parker ( Athletic Director Colorado State) hmmm imagine that : Jeff is extremely talented leader , recognized as one of the Nations best ( hmmm )

Greg Sankey ( SEC Commissioner ) - -wasn't this where Jeff came from ? ) Jeff will bring integrity , energy . and relentless work ethic - - -( Whaa? are we talking about the same Jeff -the one a poster said is a terrible hire ? )

Jeff Hughes (Consultant Korn Ferry ) Jeff has more then 16 years experience leading Power 5 programs - -Alum & fan base will see this as a strong step forward toward achieving excellence.

Steve Hatchell ( Executive Director , National football foundation ) Said Jeff epitomizes EVERY quality that is crucial to athletics today. - he has vison - - -is misson oriented -- -goal planning, & TERRIFIC work ethic -- hmmmm , not what I heard lol. - vast experience at money levels - - knows the Big 12 well. Jeff is EXACTLY what KU needs today, he is not only exceptional athletic director but a good person ( I'm so confused )

Kirby Hocutt ( Texas Tech Athletic Director ) Jeff has always exemplified that he has very high standards of character and integrity ( dam , this is just the opposite of what some say here ) EXCELLENT decision by the University of Kansas.

Bob Golsby ( Big 12 Commissioner ) Jeff is a Veteran who has achieved at the Highest of levels

Bell Hancock ( Executive Director of College Football playoff ) KU couldn't of hired a better person ( dam all these people saying such positive things - just doesn't make sense. ) Solid Judgement ? - - -and a world of experience. Get ready because I know your gonna love him.

Condoleezza Rice - - -Jeff is a skilled administrator and a worl of experience. The University of Kansas made a great choice

Lloyd Carr ( former head Coach of Michigan ) Jeff is very tough - - -very fair - - and a person of integrity. ( DASM there is that word again Integrity - - not very good integrity to some people around here ) - - just don't get it

Joe Castiglione ( Vice President & Director of Athletics Oklahoma ) Hmmm listen to this:--- Says Jeff is one of the MOST RESPECTED athletic directors throughout the National landscape -- how can this be with his questionable integrity? - -He says fantastic Hire by KU - Joe says he knows that the Big 12 will benefit from Jeff's input.

Well there you have it boys and girls - Now you can see how I'm confused cause w have people here some saying terrible hire BUT yet others people that's in the profession - people that know him - -have worked with him or been around him - nothing but props -I just don't get it. Then have other posers off other sites saying how a lot of Arkansas fan base really PO'D he got fired and say that KU got a terrific hire - - I give up - -but I think I'll take my chances with this guy. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk What potential sanctions has Bill Self been connected to? Suspending a player as soon as Self is informed their eligibility is in question?

Other coaches would've played Billy Preston last year because the NCAA never ruled him ineligible. Other coaches would've played Cliff Alexander once the payments became known. If the Silvio investigation drags out into next season, guaranteed Silvio is not suited up until there is a definitive ruling on him.

You answered your own question. If Silvio is ineligible we’ll vacate our FF and Big 12 title. Not saying it’s right, but that’s the penalty.

@FarmerJayhawk Actually no, the NCAA has yet to say anything about Silvio one way or the other. Should the NCAA retroactively determine Silvio is ineligible and strip KU of the Final Four last year, they need to vacate every game any player and coach named in the FBI report participated in, otherwise the NCAA is setting themselves up for a massive lawsuit to be filed against them.

Lastly, where was Bill Self named in that report in regards to having knowingly committed any potential NCAA infractions? All that report says is that KU was the victim in the Silvio case, not the perpetrators in the case.

I heard his daughter goes to mizzou🤮

Crimsonorblue22 said:

I heard his daughter goes to mizzou🤮

FIRE HIM NOW :p

@BShark !0_1530832750637_1C425B2A-58DA-4FC0-A70B-CC8C85E61D9F.jpeg ↗

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Actually no, the NCAA has yet to say anything about Silvio one way or the other. Should the NCAA retroactively determine Silvio is ineligible and strip KU of the Final Four last year, they need to vacate every game any player and coach named in the FBI report participated in, otherwise the NCAA is setting themselves up for a massive lawsuit to be filed against them.

Lastly, where was Bill Self named in that report in regards to having knowingly committed any potential NCAA infractions? All that report says is that KU was the victim in the Silvio case, not the perpetrators in the case.

Did you see where I said if? I’ve got oceanfront property about 4 hours nw of Lawrence to sell you if you don’t know that coaches don’t have any idea that this kind of thing goes on. If you’re not bending or breaking NCAA rules, you’re not competitive.

@FarmerJayhawk Thanks for the heads up that every coach cheats. Fire them all and let the players self police themselves to stay honest about cheating then.

Please tell me an allegation against Bill Self that would force KU to fire him the way Long had to fire Petrino at Arkansas.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Thanks for the heads up that every coach cheats. Fire them all and let the players self police themselves to stay honest about cheating then.

Please tell me an allegation against Bill Self that would force KU to fire him the way Long had to fire Petrino at Arkansas.

I’m in favor of not firing guys for the run of the mill stuff. Wait, are you saying fire him because he did it or because people found out?

@Texas-Hawk-10

There is no way KU is asked to forfeit any games. If it is, programs like Louisville, Arizona and yes, North Carolina, should get the death penalty and this is just not happening.

It appears the NCAA is waiting for the FBI to do the dirty work before becoming involved and we have not heard a peep from the FBI in a while now and we might not for a long time. It would not surprise me if the entire probe is quietly dropped and the NCAA declares a one time general amnesty with tougher rules and penalties moving forward.

@FarmerJayhawk WTF has Bill Self ever been accused of? I've asked you multiple times and you have yet to answer that question so answer it unless you can't.

If you seriously think I want Bill Self fired for any currently known reason, then you are f-ing stupid.

What Bobby Petrino did forced Jeff Long to fire him because Petrino opened the university up to a major sexual harassment lawsuit. Petrino was on the hiring committee of a woman he was having an affair with at the time and did not disclose that fact to the rest of the committee. Ethical conflict of interest right there. Not illegal, but still a fireable offense. He also paid the woman $20,000 to keep quiet about the affair which became public knowledge after Petrino filed a falsified accident report from a motorcycle crash which was found out during a subsequent investigation. That would make Petrino guilty of bribery and fraud for those two incidents. Both illegal and required immediate action from Arkansas to keep the woman from suing Petrino and the school for sexual harassment which would've cost the school a lot of money because of the settlement they would've had to pay out and from lost donations from donors.

@JayHawkFanToo I don't think anything happens to KU from this. @FarmerJayhawk thinks different so give the speech to him because all I did was take his reasoning to its logical conclusion.

I don’t think KU gets any sanction from Silvio’s deal. You asked if Self had been linked to anything that could harm KU and that’s certainly one. Also multiple affairs and the possibility of a love child if you must know.

Yeah, I’m familiar with the Petrino story. And yet, I’d still hire him in a heartbeat. And before you ask, no I wouldn’t hire Briles because there’s a huge difference between white collar stuff and covering up violent felonies.

https://theathletic.com/421987/2018/07/05/jeff-long-kansas-new-athletic-director/ ↗

@FarmerJayhawk Where was Self's name in the FBI report linking him to the Silvio situation in a way that harmed KU? Unless something new came out, that was Silvio, his guardian, Adidas, and Under Armour involved. The closest Self came to being linked was that KU was determined to be a victim of fraud. Last I checked, being a victim of fraud does not make you guilty of any NCAA infractions.

In regards to your moral compass, adultery, bribery, and lying are all acceptable attributes in a leader and role model for 18-23 year old men, got it.

Time to turn it down several notches. Let's agree to disagree and keep it civil without the name calling; we are all Jayhawk fans first and we need to keep this board viable or we will end up at the JW site.

Everyone calm down, let’s not get the thread locked.

JayHawkFanToo said:

Time to turn it down several notches. Let's agree to disagree and keep it civil without the name calling; we are all Jayhawk fans first and we need to keep this board viable or we will end up at the JW site.

Thanks bud - I know I've had several encounters here myself but like you said and the way to look at it is like you say we just agree to disagree, - -Time to move on from this there isn't gonna be a clear cut winner in this scenario - everyone is entitled to their opinions - -just leave it at that. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Where was Self's name in the FBI report linking him to the Silvio situation in a way that harmed KU? Unless something new came out, that was Silvio, his guardian, Adidas, and Under Armour involved. The closest Self came to being linked was that KU was determined to be a victim of fraud. Last I checked, being a victim of fraud does not make you guilty of any NCAA infractions.

In regards to your moral compass, adultery, bribery, and lying are all acceptable attributes in a leader and role model for 18-23 year old men, got it.

If you’re asking if Self was indicted, no. But coaches know this stuff goes on at their program. He’s recruited lots of guys everyone and their dog knew weren’t all on the up and up. Darnell Jackson, Selby, Cliff, Josh, and Billy being the ones that come to mind.

Sometimes it’s the price of doing business. I just don’t get bent out of shape about it. Maybe I’ve been in the field too long to care. But what Petrino did isn’t worth blacklisting the guy if he performs at a higher level than anyone who’s coached at KU.

And you’re not going to convince me and it’s obvious I’m not going to convince you, so have a good one. I’ll admit you’re right if, as you say, Long’s football hires were the worst.

@FarmerJayhawk Here's my final words on his football hires at Arkansas. He had to fire one for major off field issues and his second one underachieved to the point that Long was fired for that failure. Clearly something was off in his evaluation process in regards to hiring football coaches at Arkansas given what his reputation supposedly was/is.

That makes me very leery about what kind of job he'll actually do at Kansas. I don't give a damn what his reputation is among his peers or the media, I give a damn about what his his hires actually produced and what they produced got Long fired.

My apologies if my dissatisfaction with this hire is based on the fact that Long was fired from Arkansas for essentially the reasons KU just fired Zenger. That's not something that fills me with a lot of optimism at this point.

jayballer73 said:

KUSTEVE said:

I wanted to see if anyone wanted to argue about the color of the sky...my faith has been restored...lol.

I'll argue lol- - just for shits and grins lol - -when you wanna start - -I'll say it's Blue & gray lol

No, the day begins with a crimson and blue dawn, goes to blue all day long, and then the sun sets with crimson and blue, too. Clearly, this is a KU world!

Reading this thread, I am reminded of what Billy Packer (one of my least favorite commentators) once said:

"I may be wrong, but I am never uncertain."

Like AD Zenger/HFBCWeiss, I assume Jeff Long comes to Kansas with a football coach in his pocket and ready to assume the job in the next 5 months. Long's hire is a package deal, right? I'm looking forward to a new direction for KU football.

@stoptheflop I asked about that yesterday. The two names that came up were Les Miles and Bielema. Willie Fritz and Brady Hoke will also be factors.

FarmerJayhawk said:

@stoptheflop I asked about that yesterday. The two names that came up were Les Miles and Bielema. Willie Fritz and Brady Hoke will also be factors.

Oh man, Les would be great. Added bonus that he is hilarious.

He had a 77% win rate at LSU when they fired him. I wouldn't expect that at KU especially right off the bat but he probably still has recruiting connections and if he could get the line play respectable that goes a long way. It would also be a zig vs zag situation with him in the B12 since he likes grind it out run the ball football.

Please let us be a spring board; please let us be a spring board; please let us be a spring board.

Not to say Miles would take the job. I don’t know if he’s that interested in coaching again. But I think Long will give him a call once Beaty gets canned, probably after the CMU game assuming we lose.

@FarmerJayhawk Beaty will get longer than CMU this year. The schedule sets up for 6 games a bye then 6 more to end the year. 6 games is what Beaty has this year.

Also, Brady Hoke will not be a factor the KU job if Jeff Long wants to win over the donors. Brady Hoke got worse each year at Michigan. When he took the DC job at Oregon, Oregon was the second worst defense in the country (both ppg and ypg) and went 4-8 in 2016. Last year as the DLine coach at Tennessee, the Vols went 0-8 in the SEC and had the 5th worst run defense in the country.

Nothing Brady Hoke has done since 2012 says he deserves a D1 head coach job, even at Kansas.

Can Beatty now. Chaos ensues. Folks claim that all of the spring work is wasted. So what. Can Beatty now.

One thing that we probably aren't talking about enough with Jeff Long is taking into account the entire athletic department.

Arkansas baseball is consistently one of the top programs in the country. They have gone to the College World Series several times, most recently 2012, 2015 and this season.

The track team is one of the best in the country, with a national title in 2008 and multiple conference triple crowns (indoor, outdoor and cross country titles in the same season). Both the mens and womens programs are successful.

The golf team finished second in the nation in 2009.

KU has often been mens basketball only from an athletic department success standpoint. Long has overseen a department that had success in multiple sports over several years. Perhaps he can help KU with that as well. These are non-revenue sports, but when non-revenue sports get closer to being in the black, the entire athletic department is stronger and healthier as a result.

I think Willie Fritz has to be on the short list of names Long is considering. I guess it just depends on what direction he wants to go.

@justanotherfan I agree. KU needs to become more competitive in ALL sports.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@FarmerJayhawk Beaty will get longer than CMU this year. The schedule sets up for 6 games a bye then 6 more to end the year. 6 games is what Beaty has this year.

Also, Brady Hoke will not be a factor the KU job if Jeff Long wants to win over the donors. Brady Hoke got worse each year at Michigan. When he took the DC job at Oregon, Oregon was the second worst defense in the country (both ppg and ypg) and went 4-8 in 2016. Last year as the DLine coach at Tennessee, the Vols went 0-8 in the SEC and had the 5th worst run defense in the country.

Nothing Brady Hoke has done since 2012 says he deserves a D1 head coach job, even at Kansas.

I don’t like Hoke either. Just passing it along. Hoke and Long go waaaaaayyy back. Played HS football together if memory serves. Long was QB and Hoke was his center.

HighEliteMajor said:

Please let us be a spring board; please let us be a spring board; please let us be a spring board.

Ah, if we could just be a springboard in the tradition of Miami, Ohio: HOF coaches Sid Gillman, Woody Hayes, Ara Paraseghian, Bo Schembechler all cut their chops there.

@justanotherfan KU would really be great if debate was a revenue producer....

Bielema. Easy pick. He would get KU to a bowl game, and we'd have our once in 20 years run of good teams. Then he'll go somewhere else, and we'll start again. If KU hires him, maybe him and Klingsbury can slug it out. Bielema would be perfect, imo. He has recruited Texas, and his midwest contacts from back in the day at Wisky would play a lot better than trying to convince midwesterners to go to Bugtussle. I mean, at this point, are there any other Rose Bowl coaches available to risk career suicide by taking on the biggest challenge since football was invented? I personally feel he is a goomer, so the interviews would be quite a drag, but if he can resurrect the program, I'd be willing to pay the price.

@KUSTEVE Bielema also ticked off some Texas hs coaches talking of how the spread doesn’t work and you need a fullback but he also spanked the daylights outta KSU and Snyder in the liberty bowl a few years back. I think he’s a better coach than anyone we have had in my lifetime not named Mangino or Mason.

@HighEliteMajor could Bill Self hold him in the palm of his hand and choose to crush him?

@Texas-Hawk-10 I don’t know....ESPN can’t even judge talent between Big10 and other conferences except their nose is so far up the rear of the SEC.

@Bwag and Trae young, still

@kjayhawks I would venture there are a pretty large number of coaches in Texas that agree with him, although he sounded like a jerk when he said it. I'll give him this: he competed in the toughest conference in football. That's simply a murderer's row of conference games. To take the Hogs to 3 straight bowl games playing the likes of Bammer, Auburn, LSU, A & M, and Miss St every year is pretty amazing. And the job he did at Wisky was incredible. He isn't Petrino, but he doesn't have the character issues, either.

@KUSTEVE I agree, it would just be interesting to a guy that got the AD fired from his last gig come in to his new gig. I have no doubt he's a better than what we have had since MM was here.

If we have no doubt he's better, would we be better firing Beatty now and just hiring him?

@KUSTEVE Getting to a bowl game in the SEC is easier than in the B12. The SEC only plays 8 conference games so scheduling 4 cupcakes in nonconference, Texas Tech and Rutgers were two of P5 nonconference opponents so not that difficult of a task to get to 4-0 in nonconference which means an SEC needs to go 2-6 in league play to reach a bowl game. That's a 25% winning percentage in league play and Arkansas has had a really bad Missouri as their locked in cross division game for the past several years.

Compare that to a B12 schedule that only has 3 nonconference games which means B12 teams have to win 33% of their league games to get to bowl eligibility with a perfect nonconference record.

Even in the SEC West, getting to a bowl game is easier than it is in the B12 because of how their schedule works.

@Texas-Hawk-10

The SEC does only schedule 8 conference games, but that is because some of their conference teams have an in-state rivalry game with another major conference school each season.

South Carolina and Clemson play every year.

So do Florida and Florida State.

Same for Georgia and Georgia Tech.

Kentucky and Louisville.

Those games take place during the SEC "rivalry week" at the end of November, when the Iron Bowl, Egg Bowl, Battle for the Boot, etc. traditionally take place.

For those schools, it's like having 9 conference games every year.

Those games are written in stone for those schools. They don't want a 9th conference game on top of that because it would be like having 10 conference games.

For the schools that don't have that instate game, they typically schedule another major conference opponent instead.

A&M is playing Clemson this year. Bama has Louisville. Auburn has Washington. Ole Miss plays Texas Tech. Mississippi State plays K-State. LSU plays Miami. Mizzou plays Purdue. Tennessee gets West Virginia. Vandy gets Notre Dame.

The only school that doesn't have another major conference opponent this season is Arkansas. Saying its easier in the SEC is not true, unless you were to take the Bill Snyder approach to scheduling every year (something that is frowned on in the SEC because so many schools schedule a power conference opponent).

@justanotherfan The OOC game that only 3 of the SEC teams play in November (UGA/GTech, UF/FSU, and SC/Clem) is not why the SEC stayed at 8 conference games. They stayed because of the cross divisional rivalry games of Alabama/Tennessee and Auburn/Georgia because Alabama is like Texas in that they control the politics of the SEC and they didn't want a 9th conference game.

The quality nonconference match ups outside of the 3 teams above is very new and because of the CFP and trying to impress voters. Prior to that, it wasn't uncommon for the mid pack and bad teams to schedule an FCS team in late October/early November (most still do that), and some combination of 3 Sun Belt/MAC/C-USA to get a 4-0 nonconference record so they only needed to get to two SEC wins and get a bowl berth.

@Texas-Hawk-10

You are correct that Bama led the charge of not wanting the 9th conference game. But the politics of the SEC is somewhat different than the Big 12 in that a handful of schools wield power rather than just two (because so many of the SEC schools make tons of money). The major power brokers in the SEC are Alabama, LSU, Florida, Georgia and Kentucky. Because of that, if three of those schools are vocal about something, it's going their way. Bama, Florida and Georgia were vocal about not having a 9th conference game.

That's why the conference title game was initially held in Birmingham (Alabama's request), then moved to Atlanta (Georgia's request, with Florida and Kentucky support). That's why the basketball tournament is typically in Atlanta (UK preference, with Georgia support).

I'm interested to see how this hire goes with our basketball interests. I would assume Jeff Long will be in charge of finding the next Basketball Head Coach when Bill Self hangs it up. Hopefully its not anytime soon but when the day comes I hope he's the type of AD we can respect and appreciate.

He's got his hands full with the football mess that's for sure. Fire the one in charge now, take your lumps and make the right hire

BeddieKU23 said:

I'm interested to see how this hire goes with our basketball interests. I would assume Jeff Long will be in charge of finding the next Basketball Head Coach when Bill Self hangs it up. Hopefully its not anytime soon but when the day comes I hope he's the type of AD we can respect and appreciate when that time comes.

He's got his hands full with the football mess that's for sure. Fire the one in charge now, take your lumps and make the right hire

I bet Bill is involved with finding the next coach when he does step down.

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I'm interested to see how this hire goes with our basketball interests. I would assume Jeff Long will be in charge of finding the next Basketball Head Coach when Bill Self hangs it up. Hopefully its not anytime soon but when the day comes I hope he's the type of AD we can respect and appreciate when that time comes.

He's got his hands full with the football mess that's for sure. Fire the one in charge now, take your lumps and make the right hire

I bet Bill is involved with finding the next coach when he does step down.

I hope so, granted its a mutual decision when he steps away. If he leaves for the NBA or something unexpected then JL will have to shoulder a lot of the ground work and responsibility.

I'm certainly not trying to think ahead. I was voicing what would be the biggest job for the AD in the future. Short term- give the football team a living pulse. Long term continue to keep KU basketball at the elite of the elite level

@Texas-Hawk-10 His last year, Arkansas played 9 teams that went to bowls out of 12 games. The worst team in conference was Miss, who was 6-6.So, every team on their side of the conference went to a bowl game except Ark. Their East division games were against a 9-4 USC team, and a Mizzourah team that went to a bowl. Murderer's row.

So here is the bottom line - - -pain and simple no bullshit. - -Jeff Long IS the Athletic Director now at KU. - -We have people that are ok with the hire we have others that thinks it sucks. - -Doesn't matter he is our Ad - -he WILL name our next Coach - -you like him that's cool - -you having kittens thinking it's a terrible hire - -Sorry it is what it is , but he is the AD so you might as well get behind him , cause not going to do you any good to do otherwise.

I feel very confident the next Coach he hires will do just fine. - -Personally I wouldn't mind Miles for a period - - I know he isn't the long resolve answer but hoping he could be like 4-5 years and possibly groom Tony Hull for the following Coach I think Hull might just have a very promising future would love to have him down the road - -- feel it's really pointless to continue to debate back and forth - - back and forth whether he was a good hire - -whether he made horrible football Coaching hires or not now - - - -we need to just get behind the hiring of this AD - and his choices at this point. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

At most schools does the hiring fall solely on the AD? Or is there a committee? I remember Self saying he hoped someone w/KU ties got his job. I don't think he wants to hand it over to anyone. It's his baby! He seemed awfully proud during the summer league games, and he's getting so much praise from everybody, more than any other coach! Coaching and personality.

@Crimsonorblue22 Yes...but......

Yes, the "responsibility" falls on the AD...he is in charge of the athletic department.....BUT, most AD's seek some kind of counsel on the hire (though not "required" to do so) be it forming a committee, hiring a consultant(s), getting recommendations from the "leaving" coach (assuming he was successful, such as Self) and maybe even "running" his choice by certain people (Chancellor, BMDs, etc.) before an announcement. So, ultimately the AD does the hire, but being a little like a politician..."consulting" with people and trying to get as big a "buy-in" from them as he can on his final choice (something I don't think Zenger did).

@ICThawk after the miserable fails I can't imagine KU giving any AD a green light on hiring w/out some guidance! I also can't imagine letting them sign big contracts w/out an ok.

@Crimsonorblue22 then why hire an AD?....and who makes the "ultimate decision" then, the "committee"/"guider"? (and who chooses the "committee" and who is on the "committee"). Then who is responsible if it doesn't "work out"...are we going to fire the members of the "committee" and keep the AD since it wasn't "his" hire, it was the committees? Realistically though, most ADs have at least an informal committee for input, but that is the ADs choice, not someone telling him what he can and can not do. If you "hamstring" your AD, that seems to say you don't have confidence in your AD to make a good decision so you should not have hired that person as AD in the first place.

@ICThawk I was thinking about the contract Zenger signed w/fritzel. Scary. Thx for your input.

@Crimsonorblue22 Agree with you wholeheartedly about that contract....though it seems to have been an "oversight" by the Athletic Corporation Board of Directors....who obviously in hindsight placed too much trust in Zenger who showed, at best, bad judgment, compounded by the Board abdicating its responsibility (as provided in its By-Laws). Setting general policy IS the job of the Athletic Board...carrying out that policy responsibly is the job of the AD. Just like a Board of Directors in a corporation, the AD being the President of the corporation. The Board sets general parameters but the "nitty-gritty" of carrying out those policies (the details like hiring/firing personnel) are left to the discretion of the President. But, the President still remains ultimately responsible to the Board and if they so choose, the Board may terminate him if they do not believe he is responsibly carrying out their policies. Because it was Zenger's responsibility (coaches, contracts, administration) he was terminated, and properly so, even if regrettably later rather than sooner (in my opinion)..

I've got an idea. There's a coach who will be successful at KU. His name is Mark Mangino.

wissox said:

I've got an idea. There's a coach who will be successful at KU. His name is Mark Mangino.

Did you see his recent twitter rampage? :joy:

The search for a high profile position be that an administrator or coach will invariably involve hiring a head hunter firm to select candidates and make sure they are properly vetted before they are considered.

I cannot imagine any major school AD making a hire at this level in isolation. Typically he will hire a search firm with input of the AdHoc search committee, who normally would not have many of the restrictions a school HR office would and can contact candidates off the record, something public officials might not be allowed to do. Once the list of candidates is available, he might add more and then the information would be shared with the search committee who would narrow the list and, while the AD might have the ultimate choice...subject to approval by the school president, the selected individual will most like be the consensus candidate.

BShark said:

wissox said:

I've got an idea. There's a coach who will be successful at KU. His name is Mark Mangino.

Did you see his recent twitter rampage? :joy:

Mangino would never work here again. - All the little golden boys with their little golden - don't hurt me - don't talk mean to me attitudes and their upper crust greater then thou parents would never allow that/ GOD forbid Mangino put hands on anyone - - I mean this is football for GOD'S Sakes - we sure the hell won't allow any physical contact on our babies - they might get hurt - -might get their feelings hurt. - All I know is when these Golden boys make the cut at the NFL - better nobody touch these boys cause UMMMMMMM Mommie and Daddy be MAD -- lmao - -get the F - - - out of here with that shit -It's football , you think Mangino talk bad/nasty to these guys -- you think his quote unquote demeanor his attitude - his approach - -his Coaching style was hard on these golden babies? - -that is such a fricken joke - -what they gonna do when someone slams them to the turf - -takes that career ending possibly cheap shot - -you think Mangino had a nasty mouth - you think he was physical? - - well get ready lil bitches cause if you wanna play NFL football - -HA - -what Mangino did - his character ain't shit to what you will see boys - -Where is mommie and daddy then? - I wouldn't want Mark back here not fair to him he doesn't deserve this.

All people wanted to do was give him shit about his weight , talk smack on him. - - Tell me what the hell did his weight have to do with his Coaching ability? - He was one of the few Coach's that we have had that could win some games - -didn't or wouldn't put up with the players show boating - trying to show up opposing players/teams - -Sure I would of loved to see him drop weight for his own personal health - -but we had people not even thinking about the Coaching side all they wanted to do is talk about make fun of laugh about his weight - - -SCREW THAT. - people like that are just plain and simple SAD - -pitiful lives. - Mangino deserves better glad he is not here for his sake - -one of the few times we had a decent Coach and golden boys and don't touch me hit me talk mean to me and they golden little bitch as parents ran him out - - II'M DONE THANKS

Honest question for Mangino supporters

If a KU recruit behaved the way that Mangino did:

• yelling at an officiating crew while a spectator at a sporting event
• public, profanity laced tirades
• allegations that he mistreated those around him

would you want KU to continue recruiting that student athlete? If not, why is that acceptable behavior from a coach?

A recruit is not a coach. A recruit is just a recruit. He's a player. He's a cog in the system. He's earned nothing. He's accomplished nothing. Equating a player and coach is senseless.

I don't know. Why can the CEO of a company yell and stomp around like an idiot? Why can a star athlete act like a fool and get away with it? Because he's EARNED it. He's gotten to that point in his life where he has enough leverage to do what he wants to do. When folks have leverage, when they're a wanted commodity, they can get away with more.

But guys like that don't build equity. When they lose, those that are offended quickly turn. It's the risk of being a jerk. Such as happened in the Mangino witch hunt, where myth exceeded reality.

But there is a hierarchy in this world, and in society, which is EARNED by success. Not given. Troubling to some, I'm sure.

The reality with coaches is winning is the answer. When Tom Coughlin loses, he's too much of micro manager, he's too much of drill sergeant, he's a jerk, players hate him; when he wins, well, he has great attention to detail, he demands excellence, players look to him as a demanding leader. Same with the "players' coach."

@BShark No, I don't do twitter.

@jayballer73 The one issue that I remember reading about was that MM said some things that crossed the line as far as race goes. If the comments were what I remember.....they are not acceptable in today's world. I hope I am remembering correctly when I make this statement.

@Hawk8086 yeah, that definitely happened. Mangino can coach football but he’s not really a good dude. He also totally lost the team in 2008-09.

justanotherfan said:

Honest question for Mangino supporters

If a KU recruit behaved the way that Mangino did:

• yelling at an officiating crew while a spectator at a sporting event
• public, profanity laced tirades
• allegations that he mistreated those around him

would you want KU to continue recruiting that student athlete? If not, why is that acceptable behavior from a coach?

here is the question to you. - -how many pro Coach's yell at officials at their sporting event? Ypu think these guys aren't going to be around Coach's that yell have tantrums/ tirades during games ? if these kids /parents think this isn't going to happen then they need to keep their kids sheltered - -it's life -it happens every day. - when these kids get to pro if they are that fortunate the way Magino acted is going to seem like being on a kindergarden level compared to some of these pro Coach's. What? - mama and dadd - If these guys and or parents are so thin skinned to this type of enviroment then I truly feel sorry for them -it's going to happen you can take that to the bank going to yank the kid off the NFL roster because the coach curses throws tirades during games? -If your Naïve enough to think Coach's don't use profanity - then your living under a rock - you don't think NFL Coach's don't get physical? - mercy what world you live it? - -Football it's self is a physical game very physical - -so if your so concerned about a Coach being physical with your kid - then they don't need to be in football period. - -Hell yes I would want them to keep recruiting him- of course then again my boy hasn't been pampered, had that golden spoon all his life either - these things happen Believe that to keep recruiting them

@jayballer73 I don't think he even remotely is talking about that. Mangino went after officials at his sons high school fb game.

@Crimsonorblue22 High School game College game - - Pro game - - it happens

Wow. The other day someone was posting about the fighting here and then they come unglued over @justanotherfan 's good question.

@jayballer73

As @Crimsonorblue22 said, I wasn't referencing Mangino yelling while coaching a KU game. He was at his son's HS football game and went after the high school officiating crew. KU punished him internally for that, so I can't honestly say what happened to him as a result. How would you feel if you read that a KU recruit was screaming at officials at their cousin's junior high football game from the sidelines, to the point where they had to be restrained?

I specifically said spectator to make it clear that it wasn't while coaching.

The public, profanity laced tirades also did not happen while coaching. These happened off the field as well - once to a parking attendant, once to another person in Lawrence and at least one other time on campus. Again, how would you feel if a report surfaced that a KU recruit had been seen screaming and cursing at a parking attendant?

Mangino's management habits are well known. Again, how would you feel if you found out that a KU recruit was known to be a jerk to the people around him?

And that's just the stuff we know about that happened off the field.

These are specific to things that happened OFF THE FIELD. These incidents are pretty well known around the KU program, and were a large reason why, despite his on field success, Mangino had very few supporters among the athletic department, administration and big donors. Mangino is probably the most successful coach in the history of KU football, but when he was pushed out, there wasn't anyone in power trying to save him. That's telling.

@wissox YA WOW - -now you see how it really looks huh? lmao - -I AM NOT pointing at anyone specific on here with this - -let me tell you more slowly I am not in a debate with anyone specific here but thanks for trying to stir the pot - -your comment is greatly appreciated. - This is such a broad topic/conversation - you see wissox this is conversation heated about the person - - - -I appreciate what they are sayin. - Just so happens I have a very strong opinion about this - but not pissed at anyone here they have their opinions and make very valid points - -thanks again. ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@justanotherfan Thanks for your input - - appreciated.

Oh my gosh, the idea of a football coach being a "jerk." I mean, what is the world coming too? It the pussification of America. Thank you to a portion of America. Bunch of pansies. Victim mentality. Snowflakes. Good thing they don't see Marine corp training.

@HighEliteMajor are you ok w/a parent going off on refs at a high school game?

@Crimsonorblue22 Truthfully, it depends. Generally, I'm fine with barking or a comment here and there. "Going off" ... that would be for a major, major deal in my opinion. To the general point, I don't support Mangino when he went off on an official at at HS game. As the KU coach, he should have considered time, place, and his position. But that doesn't color my opinion that his ouster was nothing more than a witch hunt. I have mentioned this before, but I spoke directly to a former KU player who was close with the program, at the time of his firing, who used that exact term. Lots of info that he had.

@HighEliteMajor - - That's the bottom line - they could use any reason you want - no one really knows for sure but the administration & officals. - -But ya bottom line that's all it mounted to WITCH HUNT

Perkins wanted Mangino gone and got it done. But it’s pretty telling that Mangino isn’t a head coach somewhere else.

You said, "If your Naïve enough to think Coach’s don’t use profanity - then your living under a rock - you don’t think NFL Coach’s don’t get physical? - mercy what world you live it?"

That's stirring the pot sir. It's just ironic to me since your post from a few days ago.

wissox said:

You said, "If your Naïve enough to think Coach’s don’t use profanity - then your living under a rock - you don’t think NFL Coach’s don’t get physical? - mercy what world you live it?"

That's stirring the pot sir. It's just ironic to me since your post from a few days ago.

Again thanks for your input. -Are you here just to argue with yourself? - see I'm not doing it. - You've made your point , I have no problem with that but I'm not going to keep going back and forth I move along , it's pointless to just keep going back and forth to see who has the last word. Your point has been made I appreciate it and time to move to a new subject. - -Have a great day. - -oh one side note though -- - - -please don't call me sir - -that's so formal. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

wissox said:

You said, "If your Naïve enough to think Coach’s don’t use profanity - then your living under a rock - you don’t think NFL Coach’s don’t get physical? - mercy what world you live it?"

That's stirring the pot sir. It's just ironic to me since your post from a few days ago.

I’ll fix it so it’s not so offensive to the teacher in ya! @wissox 😆

If you’re naive enough to think coaches don’t use profanity, then you are living under a rock! You don’t think NFL coaches get physical?!? Mercy, what world are you living in?

@dylans

Even more telling, compare Mangino to Mike Leach. Leach and Mangino were fired just weeks apart in December 2009.

Leach and Mangino were fired at roughly the same time for somewhat similar incidents. Leach got a studio job, then was back as a head coach two seasons later. Mangino missed four seasons, then was hired as an assistant at a non FBS school. He moved up to being an assistant at an FBS school the next year, but lasted only a season and a half.

Pretty telling that while Mangino claims he has lots of former players and staff that support him, no one has gone to bat for him to get him a job.

@dylans Haha! You get an A-.

@wissox and a⭐️

When he's not chasing down top level recruits, he's pitching potential ADs...

“I saw firsthand why Bill Self is such a great recruiter because, I'll be candid, he recruited me here, and I'm proud of that and that meant a lot to me,” Long explained.