Volume 124 Issue 73
kansan.com
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
COMMENTARY Football needs new culture
As Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger's search for a new football coach enters its second week, the Kansas football program should brace itself for a complete change of culture.
Part of Turner Gill's huge problem at Kansas was that he concentrated too much on mentoring rather than coaching football. Gill's philosophy of teaching his players to grow as individuals on and off the field may have worked if his teams actually bought into his system. However, after two seasons of passionless 5-19 football, it was pretty evident that Gill had little-to-no influence over his players.
Kansas' new football coach should bring a completely different mentality to the program, holding players accountable for their mistakes. Zenger needs a coach who brings name recognition and instant credibility to a suffering football program that went from BCS bowl winner to college football laughingstock in a matter of three years.
When Gill got the boot from Kansas, the Jayhawk faithful had one person on its mind: Mike Leach. It seemed that "Pirate Fever" instantly spread around the Kansas football fans and media. A family of five was even greeted at Lawrence Municipal Airport by a dozen Leach-suspecting media members because the flight originated from Leach's hometown of Key West, Fla.
KANSAS PLAYS CAPABLE LONG BEACH STATE PAGE 10
Kansas' next coach does not have to be as relentless in ridicule as Mark Mangino was, but the fact of the matter is that "nice guy" coaches do not win at Kansas.
As the coaching search continues into its second week, take comfort in knowing that times are changing for the better.
Edited by Laura Nightengale
Well, to Kansas' dismay. "The Pirate" would not be setting sail in Lawrence as Leach accepted the job to coach at Washington State. With the fan favorite off the market, more pressure is on Zenger's shoulders to find the right man for the job.
"As a Jayhawk, I am incredibly excited about the opportunities before us. I look forward to introducing the Jayhawk Nation to the new leader of our football program very soon," Zenger said in the message.
Zenger reassured students and Williams Education Fund members about the coaching search through an email on Friday afternoon.
Regardless of who Zenger hires, the new coach will be a disciplinarian and will be significantly tougher on his players than Gill. Southern Mississippi's Larry Fedora fits the bill perfectly, but he is one of the hot commodities in the coaching profession.
Whether or not Zenger already has his guy, the email was interesting to say the least. With job openings at more reputable football schools, such as Texas A&M, UCLA, Arizona State and North Carolina, Zenger may have been sensing anxiety amongst the Kansas fan base. I think it will be very difficult for Kansas to steal away a big-name coach from one of these schools with deeper pockets.
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BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS HEADING INTO THE BOWL SEASON
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS
TIME TO GET MEAN
Withey says he could be more aggresive
MAX ROTHMAN
mrothman@kansan.com
twitter.com/udk_bball
He's the biggest guy on the floor, but he's no bully. He's a joker, but he isn't too loud. He's a rebounder, but he could do more.
"Hes a nice kid," coach Bill Self said of junior center Jeff Withey. "But Thomas (Robinson) is a nice kid, too, and he can go after the ball pretty good."
Withey embodies the feel of a kid from San Diego. He's calm, relaxed and usually smiling, but those characteristics don't typically describe the greatest centers.
When Kansas plays Long Beach State tonight at 8 in Allen Fieldhouse, Withey may attempt to shed some of his kindness in exchange for rebounds.
"I think a mean streak would help." Self said. "No question."
In the past, Withey's placid nature has inspired fans and pundits to call him "soft," perhaps the worst word a center can hear. Withey is aware of the fact that he needs more aggression. The progression of the season will tell if he can do something about it or if he'll never change.
Faced against the supreme defense of Duke in the Maui Invitational's championship game, Withey rose to the occasion. Early in the game, he dunked heavily and drew a foul in the same play. Before his feet landed on the hardwood, a vicious scowl shaped his face. All aggression. No messing around.
"I'll throw a basketball at him or anything," senior guard Tyshawn Taylor said. "I love to see him mad."
A mean streak doesn't require shoving freshmen into lockers or starting fights in the parking lot. Withey could use a little more toughness in the paint. That's all. The past two games, Withey has only had five combined rebounds.
"He has too many games where he's getting two and three (rebounds)." Self said. "He should be up in that six, seven range every game."
When former center Cole Aldrich anchored the defense, the guards could take more risks poking around for steals. If they missed, Aldrich was waiting behind them with a missing tooth and shot blocking hands.
"I don't think he's as good as Cole yet," senior guard Tyshawn Taylor said. "But I think he's definitely working his way there."
Taylor admitted that Withey has blocked his shots in practice more than any other defender. He knows that Withey's ability to alter games defensively exists because he's seen it before. Now the Jayhawks need the shot-blocking prowess of practice to translate to the actual games.
Just don't expect Withey to change that cool demeanor.
"I wish he talked more," Taylor said. "But that's just who he is."
Edited by Jayson Jenks
Withey hasn't dominated the whole season, but he has stepped up in his team's biggest games. Against Kentucky and Duke, he was arguably Kansas' best player.
2011 GAME LOG:
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
Date Opponent Result Minutes Points Rebounds Blocks Fouls
12/3 USF W 70-42 24 6 3 1 2
11/30 FAU W 77-54 18 10 2 2 3
11/23 Duke L 68-61 31 14 10 2 4
11/22 UCLA W 72-56 21 14 6 1 4
11/21 Georgetown W 67-63 13 2 6 0 5
11/15 Kentucky L 75-65 25 7 6 4 3
11/11 Towson W 100-54 18 10 4 4 4
Junior center Jeff Withey grabs an offensive rebound during the second half of Saturday night's game at Allen Fieldhouse. Withey had six points and three rebounds for the Jayhawks in their victory.
FOOTBALL
Coaching uncertainty continues
GARRICK MCGEE
The University of Alabama at Birmingham did not hire former Kansas coach Turner Gill for its head coaching vacancy. According to the Birmingham News, Gill interviewed for the opening last week.
Instead, UAB hired Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee.
McGee
Devilsdigest.com is reporting that June Jones is not a popular pick among Arizona State boosters to be this school's coach. The report states that Arizona State will look at Southern Mississippi's Larry Fadora, Baylor's Art Briles and Houston's Kevin Sumlin before making a decision on Jones.
JUNE JONES
Gus Malzahn interviewed with North Carolina last Thursday, according to The Huntsville Times. Malzahn was an assistant coach at Tulsa while new North Carolina Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham was the athletics director of the Golden Hurricanes.
GUS MALZAHN
PAUL CHRYST
Malzahn
Chryst
Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said schools have asked him about offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The story speculated that Alvarez could have been referring to Cunningham because Alvarez traveled to North Carolina's campus for Wisconsin's basketball game last week.
SONNY DYKES
Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes was named the WAC coach of the year on Monday after leading his team to a WAC title with a 6-1 conference record.
Dykes
HUGH FREEZE
Ole Miss announced Arkansas State coach Hugh Freeze as the school's next coach on Monday, replacing Nutt. Freeze lead Arkansas State to a 10-2 record, the school's most successful season since joining the FBS in 1992.
Freeze
LARRY FEDORA
The Ole Miss announcement means one less landing place for Southern Mississippi coach Larry Fedora. Fedora became the "it" candidate following his team's upset against then-undefeated Houston last weekend.
Fedora
BRENT VENABLES
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables is cooling off as a possible coaching candidate following his team's 34-point loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday. Venables' defense allowed 44 points.
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DAVE DOEREN
Dave Doener's Northern Illinois Huskies accepted an invitation to the GoDaddy.com Bowl following their win against Ohio in the MAC conference championship. His 10-3 Huskies will play Arkansas State.
Doeren
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Ethan Padway
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