As KU prepares to take on the Texas Longhorns this Saturday on the heels of a five game losing streak, word came out of Lawrence that Athletic Director Lew Perkins held a players only meeting with the the football team to discuss Mangino and concerns that were brought to him.
Perkins confirmed the meeting as did Mangino at his Tuesday gathering with the media. Sources are reporting that several players have come to athletic department officials to complain about being verbally abused and possibly being struck by the coach.
Mangino would only say to the media that “I may have lost some people around here but not the players. This is what comes when things aren’t going well.”
He admitted that he met with Perkins for 10 or 15 minutes but wouldn’t discuss what was said, saying he would leave it to Perkins to make any public disclosures.
Players who met with the media tried to avoid answering question regarding the situation, but quarterback Todd Reesing was more open and said Perkins told the team there would be an unbiased person who would conduct an investigation. Reesing wouldn’t say what was being investigated.
Reesing said he told the team they had to focus on Saturday’s game against Texas and shouldn’t talk about the issue. He also told reporters there was no turmoil on the team despite the meeting with Perkins.
One source told me this is something that has been building for some time and that the dam may have just broke. With a six game losing streak staring KU in the face and these issues in public, Mangino’s tenure, despite two straight bowl wins may be coming quickly to an end.
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