The Turner Gill era began in ernest yesterday as the former Nebraska football star was named head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks.
While there’s question on some fronts about his 20-30 record at Buffalo, his rebuilding challenge with the Bulls was certainly as great or greater than the one Mark Mangino faced when he arrived at Kansas 8 years ago. Mangino’s first four years concluded with a 19-29 mark and he didn’t win a conference title like Gill did.
There’s no question that Athletic Director Lew Perkins chose a coach who would be a dramatic contrast to Mangino when it comes to personality and coaching style. Gill is a self described player’s coach, but where I think Kansas will see it’s greatest change will be inside the day to day operations of the athletic department.
Where Mangino was known for his rough, intimidating style even in the office, I think we’re going to quickly hear a great deal about the change of culture and the lack of tension in the halls of the football facilities.
Gill has brought in veteran coordinators with head coaching experience in Carl Torbush and Chuck Long. He’s set his priorities on recruiting and recruiting more. He broached the subject of whether he looked at KU as a stepping stone to a football dynasty, by saying emphatically no, he wanted to build a football dynasty at KU. Jayhawk fans should feel good about that.
Might he leave if Bo Pelini implodes and Nebraska comes calling in two or three years? Sure. But how many Kansas fans thought Jim Harbaugh would stay for a decade if he came? Same goes for Tommy Tuberville or Skip Holtz. You never know.
Gill has a challenge on his hands in Lawrence, but the foundation is set. Nebraska AD Tom Osborne, Gill’s college coach and mentor, says the 47 year old has never been motivated by the same things most people are, money and fame. He just lives in the moment and works to make the situation he’s in the best it can possibly be. Could Kansas fans ask for more than that?
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