Volume 124 Issue 133
kansan.com
Thursday, April 12, 2012
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ship, clinching a spot in the NCAA Tournament twice and winning 30-plus games in seven of nine seasons. The Jayhawks' two trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2009 doubled the number of appearances they made at the tournament in the 100 years before Price's arrival.
Price significantly changed the baseball program's fortunes during his tenure, but is it time for a new direction?
As long as the Texas and Oklahoma schools are in the Big 12 conference, Kansas probably won't find themselves atop the Big 12 standings, but they shouldn't find themselves last in the conference either.
Wide receiver Marquis Jackson evades a tackle in a game last season. After having a chance to watch his team, coach Charlie Weis is making some changes to his line-up during spring practices.
Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger is serious about revamping the Kansas football program because it's a cash cow, but if the baseball team's struggles continue, he should make an effort to revitalize the program.
Kansas baseball is a tough sell for high school recruits who are searching for a program that can prepare them for the major leagues.
KATHLEEN GIER
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Edited by Jeff Karr
kgier@kansan.com
After two weeks of spring practice, football coach Charlie Weis has had a chance to look at the team and has mixed feelings about what he has seen. He beamed about quarterback Dayne Crist during yesterday's press conference, but noted lingering questions about depth, at positions across the board. This is a time for adjustment in the university sports scene, and his football team, which is preparing for its first season under a new coach, is no exception.
At the running back position, the Jayhawks have sophomore Brandon Bourbon, sophomore Tony Pierson and Sims. That leaves a deep roster at wide receiver with six options for Kansas.
moving sophomore wide receiver Marquis Jackson over to running back during spring practice. Jackson adds size and a physical element to the position that Weis has not seen from other players.
The team is also adjusting after losing leading rusher James Sims, who has been suspended for the first three games of the season following a DUI arrest. But Weis will keep him productive while he is gone.
"We going to have the best show team running back in the country." Weis said of Sims' new role of preparing Kansas' defense for opponents in scrimimage. "The only way to not get rusty is to go over there and run show team."
One way Weis is adjusting is by
Weis said the Jayhawks would focus on getting Pierson more touches this season, but there is a challenge because he and running back coach Reggie Mitchell have to discover a balance to keep him productive, but fresh and injury free for the 13 game season.
"You are in a catch-22 now, because every time he touches the ball, he has the chance to score a touchdown." Weis said.
That is where the other ball-carriers will support Pierson and keep the offense moving forward.
That depth and versatility gives the coaches the ability to keep adjusting throughout the season to keep the ball with the hot hand.
They can tap their helmet when they want to go out, but I will wave them back in," Weis said. "You can get a break after you score."
Currently, training is a balance between weight-lifting for maintenance and conditioning. After
"I don't care how tired they get.
"You can't play this game without having stamina," Weis said. "That is true on both sides of the ball and special teams."
practice, Weis plans gassers, which is an attempt to increase the teams stamina.
The focus will be on short-burst running and weight training to prepare the Jayhawks for a tough and physical Big 12 season.
— Edited by Corinne Westeman
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