Sports
Wednesday, August 20, 1986
University Daily Kansan
Continuity is key to football success
By Frank Hansel
It all looks the same
Sports editor
The desk still sits in the back corner of the office next to the television and VCR. The only things that have changed are the knick-knacks on the shelves
The unknowing visitor might think this was still Mike Gottried's office — and that's just the way Bob Valente wants it.
Valeente, who took over as Kansas' head football coach when Gottfried left for the University of Pittsburgh last December, wants to follow the same game plan as before.
"I wouldn't be a very good football coach if there weren't some things that I wanted to stay with because I believe in them," Valsente said last week. "Continuity is the most important thing in a program for success. If you are having success — are moving forward in the program — then you need to stay as close to that plan as you possibly can."
After 21 years as an assistant coach, Bob Valesente has his first head coaching job. Valesente will make his head coaching debut Sept. 13 when the Jayhawks host the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Although this is Valesente's first head coaching position after 21 years as a assistant, linebacker coach Mike Monos said Valesente got plenty of experience last year during the Gottfried regime.
"When we had all that trouble in Hawaii (with players' academic problems) last year, Val ran the whole show while Coach Gottfried was out talking to the press," Monos said. "It was Coach Gottfried's team, but
Coach Val did a lot of it, working with the players, and practical schedules
Valesen said he was ready when he took over the top spot.
"When I first got the opportunity to take this position, I had my feet firmly planted on the ground," he said. "I've been in coaching for many years and I quickly recognized the challenges that lie ahead and the course we have to take to continue what has already been started."
"It hurt, but then again it was building us up for it." Vaughn said. "A couple of games we'd be at the hotel and nobody knew where Coach Gottfried was. Coach Val was stepping in for Coach Gottfried.
"So when we got the announcement that Coach Gottfried took the job at Pitt, well, nobody was really disappointed because Coach Val had been coaching us for the last four or five games. We lost a good one, but we gained a better one."
While Valesente wants to follow the same plan on the field, he is following another one off the field.
Because Valesente, who was Gottfried's top aide, had done so much to run the team, wide receiver Willie Vaughn said little had changed since the team realized that Gottfried was moving on.
and he understands them, but he's able to make sure he's a disciplinarian," said Dave Dunkelberger, "defensive coordinator. "He's not going to give in and not going to make it easy. He realizes the only way to get the job done for them and us is with discipline."
He has a feeling for the players
Coach recruits, fills 'Air Force'
The recruiting poster could have said "Uncle Val wants you."
Sports editor
That was the task for first-year head coach Bob Valesente. He had to find recruits for his receiving corp, the KU Air Force.
the Rockies Graduations hit the Air Force hard. The Jayhawks lost four receivers, including All-Big Eight performer Richard Estell, who had 70 receptions last fall.
By Frank Hansel
Kansas also lost wide receivers Johnny Holloway, Sandy MeeG and Skip Peete, along with tight end Sylvester Byrd.
The loss of the receivers left sophomore Willie Vaughn as the senior member of the team, when it comes to playing time.
"I still pick up things from him. If I can do something to help him, then I certainly try, and that goes for the other receivers." Vaugn said. "We're just young and we look at our leader as the quarterback."
Vaughn said that although he might be considered a leader, he was still learning things from older teammates, such as senior wide receiver Sal Lewis.
That inexperience has Valesente concerned.
"That's one of our big concerns whether or not we can overcome that in the early going, but we do have more speed at that position this year," Valesente said.
Rodney Harris transferred to Kansas after the Drake football program folded. Harris played in all 11 games for the Bulldogs as a freshman last season, catching five passes for 56 yards, and returning 18 punts for 144 yards.
Valesente recruited two prospects at wide receiver.
"I had a couple other schools that I considered going to." Harris said.
See Receivers, p. 15, col. 1
Valesente's goal is bright defense
Kansas head football coach Bob Valesente's recipe for a successful defense is simple — he wants every Jayhawk on the field to be totally involved in every play.
"We're trying to establish a swarming-three-downs-and-off defense with a total team concept." Valesente said last week.
By Frank Hansel Sports editor
Linebacker Willie Pless, the star of last year's defense, graduated, leaving the Jayhawks with some work to do.
Those three are Rick Bredesen, Rick Clayton and John Randolph. Bredesen finished second on the team in tackles, behind Pless, with 121. Randolph earned a starting position in the middle of the season with Pless and Bredesen when the Jayhawks switched from a 5-2 defense to a 4-3. Clayton got little playing time as a reserve.
Last season, the Jayhawks finished seventh in total defense in the Big Eight, allowing an average of 335.2 yards a game. Kansas lasted in pass defense giving up an average of 208.9 yards per game.
Valesente said the Kansas staff spent a lot of time in spring practices improving the defense.
The Jayhawks boast plenty of depth with Stacy Henson and Warren Shields also battling for playing time. Academic eligibility status is uncertain for Darnell Williams, who started in some games last year and made 85 tackles.
But there are some bright spots in the defense.
"We're probably a little bit stronger at linebacker than we were before," linebacker coach Mike Monos said. "Before we only had Willie, now there's no one standout, but the three of them together should do a great job."
The major question the team has to answer, can it stop the pass?
Valezente said the answer would have to come from all 11 players.
"I feel like everyone else in teaching feels — that pass defense
involves not only the pass rush, but the linebacker coverage and secondary coverage," Valesente said. "All 11 people, when a pass is made, are totally involved in stopping that pass."
Kansas has three returning starters to provide the pass rush.
Defensive ends Phil Forte, who made 63 tackles last year, 11 of them for losses and three quarterback sacks, and Scott Carlson, who played sparingly last fall, will provide the outside rush.
The middle of the Jayhawk defensive front is in up in the air right now. Nose tackle Eldridge Avery, who finished with 64 tackles last fall, currently holds down one tackle position. But there is a question mark at the other tackle spot because Steve Nave was moved to offensive tackle Monday when Bob Peiper was injured in practice.
Steve Nave had 63 tackles last season as a starter. Guy Gamble and Mitch Gaffen will battle for playing time if Nave stays on the other side of the line.
Free safety Wayne Ziegler and cornerback Milt Garner are the two returning defensive secondary starters.
Ziegler missed seven games last season with knee injuries. He originally injured his knee against Vanderbilt and then reinjured it against Kansas State.
Garner led the Jawhays with five interceptions last season and had 30 tackles, 23 unassisted, at his cornerback spot. Mike Fisher, a junior college transfer from Mt. San Antonio, Calif., is listed to start opposite Garner. Fisher was a team captain and first team all-conference selection last fall.
"I can see excellent improvement in the spring, but we still have to go out against Big Eight competition or in the opener against North Carolina," Valesente said.
Jamey Steinbauer, who had 18 tackles and two interceptions, is the leading candidate to start at strong safety.
RECREATION SERVICES Fall 1986 Activities Calendar
AUGUST
Thursday 28
SEPTEMBER
Monday 25
Classes Begin
Sunrise Fitness begins 6:15 a.m.
Enter to Duse Labor Day
Extravaganza 5 p.m.
Robinson 208
Mud Volleyball 65.00
Volleyball 65.00
Monday
Labor Day Holiday, Labor Day
Weekend
Wanggao
Sand Volleyball 10.00 a.m.
Coreball 10.30 a.m.
Croquet
Tuesday 2
Softball Managers' Meeting
6:30 p.m.
North Gym
Wednesday 3
Sports Clubs
Campbell Instant Scheduling
8:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
208 Robinson
Softball Clinic 6:30 p.m.
North Gym
Aqua Aerobics
Demonstration 6:30 p.m.
Softball Instant Scheduling
8.30 a.m. 4 p.m.
208 Robinson
Softball Officials Meeting
8.30 p.m.
156 Robinson
Aerobics Demonstration
5.30-6.30 p.m.
North Gym
Thursday 4
Monday 8
Softball Begins
Aerobics Class Begins 6 Weeks
For $10.00
M & W 5:30 6:30 p.m. North Golf
or T & M 7:30 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9
Wednesday 10
Aqua Aerobics Session 1, 6 weeks for $10.00
T & E 7H, 5:45-6:30 p.m. or
8:30-9:00 p.m.
*Hot Spot*
Waterpool Managers Meeting
6:00 p.m.
202 Robinson
Weight Training
7:30, 8:30
Thursday 11
Tennis Singles Entries Due
5.00 p.m.
Robinson $1.00
Entries Due: Waterpolo, 5.00 p.m.
208 Robinson $10.00
Jayhawk Triathlon Entries
Due 5:00 p.m.
280 Robinson $10.00
Sunday 14
Tennis Singles, 1:00 p.m.
Robinson Courts
Intraumal Swim Meet Entries Due
5:00 p.m.
208 Robinson $1,00/50.00
Waterpolo Begins
Jayhawk Triathlon 8:00 a.m.
Packet Pickup 6:45 a.m.
Friday 19
Monday 22
Tuesday 16
Intramural Swim Meet: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday 17
Old Pool
Football Managers Meeting.
6.30 p.m.
North Gym
Sunday 21
Tuesday 23
Football Instant Scheduling
8.30 a.m. 4 p.m.
208 Robinson
Wednesday 24
Football Instant Scheduling
8:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
208 Robinson
Sunny Lake
Tennis D/M 1:00 p.m.
Robinson Courts
Sunday 28
OCTOBER
Table Tennis/Badminton Singles
Entries Due, 5.00 p.m.
208 Robinson, $1.00
Monday 29 Softball Playoffs Begin
Fable Tennis/Badminton Singles Tournament 5.30 p.m.
207 Robinson Court I, Main Gym
Monday 29
Thursday 2
Softball Hill Championship. TBA
Table Tennis/Badminton Doubles Entries Due 5.00 p.m.
280 Robinson Gym, $1.00
Ki-Aikido
Kung Fu
KU Karate
KU Martial Art
Ruayu
Football Begins
Friday 3
Thursday 9
Table Tennis/Badminton Doubles Tournament 5.30 p.m.
207 Robinson Court I, Main Gym
Sunday 5
Monday 6
Friday 10
Volleyball Instant Scheduling
8:30 a.m. 4 p.m.
208 Robinson
Volleyball Officials Meeting
6:30 p.m.
156 Robinson
Saturday 11
Tuesday 14
Soccer (men's & women's)
Taekwondo
Table Tennis
Vanguard Karate
Volleyball
Volleyball Managers Meeting
6:30 p.m.
North Gym
Indoor Soccer Managers
Meeting 7:00 p.m.
202 Robinson
KU vs. Iowa State
Monday 13
Wednesday 15
Volleyball Instant Scheduling
8.30 a.m. 4 p.m.
208 Robinson
Volleyball Officials Clinic
6.30 a.m.
North Gym
Thursday 16
Handball, Wallyball Entry Dues
5.00 p.m.
208 Robinson
Volleyball $1.00/$5.00
Indoor Soccer Officials Meeting
6.30 p.m.
208 Robinson
Aerobics Session I Ends
Aqua Aerobics Session I Ends
Sunday 19
Handball/Wallyball
Tournament. 1.30 p.m.
Monday 20
Volleyball And Indoor Soccer
Basketball
Aerobics Session II Begins
6 Weeks for $10.00
m & W 5:30.6:30 p.m. Or
T & TH 5:30.6:30 p.m.
North Gym
Tuesday 21
Thursday 23
iqua Aerobics Session II Begins
6 Weeks For $10.00
T 6, TH 5-45 6:30 p.m.
T 7, TH 5-45 11:15 p.m.
Old Pool
Sunday 26
Racquetball Singles Entries Due
5 p.m.
208 Robinson, $1.00
Racquetball Singles Tournament, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday 30
Football Play-Offs Begin
Racquetball D/M. Squash Entries
Due 5:00 p.m.
208 Robinson $1.00
Friday 31
Halloween
NOVEMBER
Racquetball D/M. Squash Tournament, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday 2
Football Hill Championship TBA
Sunday 9
Monday 10
Volleyball and Indoor Soccer Discoffle Basin
Wednesday 19
WEDNESDAY
Turkey Tort Entries Due 5:00 p.m.
208 Robinson. 66.00
Indoor. Soccer Hill
Friday 21
Championships TBA
Thursday 20
Volleyball Hill
Championships TBA
Friday 21
Pre Holiday Basketball Entries Due
208 Robinson
Limit 116 Teams. $5.00
Saturday 22
Turkey Tork 9.00 a.m.
Shenk Complex
Late Registration
8:00 R 45 a.m. $8.00
Wednesday 26
DECEMBER
Monday 1
Pre-Holiday Basketball Tournament
Thursday 4
5:00 p.m
208 Robinson 55.00
Aerobics Session I Ends
Aqua Aerobics Session I Ends
Polar Bear Run, 12:00 Noon
Shenk Complex
Late Entries.
11:00-11:45 a.m. $8.00
Monday 8
Tuesday 9
Finals Begin
Fridav 19
Friday 19
Finals Day
Surprise Fitness Conclu-
cedes Wednesday 24
Christmas Eve
Saturday 28
Holiday
Sunday 29
Holiday
Wednesday 31
New Years Eve
Friday 2
Holiday
Saturday 3
Holiday
Sunday 4
Holiday
Thursday 25
Christmas
Friday 27
Holiday
JANUARY 1987
Thursday 1
New Years Day
Thursday 15
Classes Begin
Sunrise Fitness Begins
Wednesday 21
Aerobics
5:30 6:30 p.m.
North Gym
1-On 1 Free Throw Entries Due
5:00 p.m.
208 Robinson, $1.00
Aqua Aerobics Demonstration
6:30 p.m.
Old Pool
Recreation Services
864-3546
Call for Info.
Recorded Message 864-3456
Service Center
864-3491
Proper K.U. I.D. needed for entrance into Robinson and for participation in most programs
Facilities
Fitness Center/Weight Room...103 Robinson
Gymnastics...216 Robinson
Gymnasiums (Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton)...209-215 Robinson
Racquetball/Handball Courts...123 Robinson
Natatorium...107 & 115 Robinson
Lifetime Sports Area(Table Tennis,Golf,Pickle Ball,Archery)...207 Robinson
Multipurpose Room...130 Robinson
Combative Room...102 Robinson
Saunas
Service Center...129 Robinson
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