FEATURE 5
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Check out Kansan.com for an audio slideshow detailing Fambrough's memorabilia.
After serving as an assistant, Fambrough was named Kansas' head coach in 1971. In his third season Fambrough won seven games, finished tied for second in the Big Eight and led Kansas to the Liberty Bowl.
The next season Kansas finished last in the Big Eight with a 4-7 record. Fambrough was fired.
"There have been disappointments," Fambrough said. "I don't want to try and make you think everything is perfect. There are problems. Today, they probably have fewer problems than any time I've ever been here. Coach Mangino has been given the tools to work with."
Four seasons later, in 1979, Fambrough was rehired as Kansas' head coach. Again, in his third season, he led the Jayhawks to a bowl game, finishing the season 8-4.
But, again, Kansas struggled the following season posting a 2-7-2 record. Fambrough was fired for a second time.
In case you're wondering how one of Kansas football's most recognizable figures can so unabashedly support the same school that fired him — twice — Fambrough says it's not hard.
Sure, there were times when he was frustrated with the hand he was dealt as a head coach. But that's well past him now, only remaining as a distant memory.
After all, Fambrough said, he's still a Jayhawk.
"I always say that I'm probably the only coach that ever got fired twice from the same school," Fambrough said. "And that's not a record that you want to have. Has that turned me against the University? No, absolutely not."
For a couple days a few years back, something wasn't right. There were pads, whistles blowing and football players zigzagging across the field. From an outsider's perspective, it looked much the same as any other practice.
But it wasn't.
Ryan Cantrell said something — or rather, someone — was missing. Fambrough, who Cantrell said nearly suffered a heat stroke during an exceptionally hot stretch of weather, wasn't able to attend practice that week.
For years, Fambrough has delivered a pregame motivational message before the Jayhawks play the Tigers. And with each year the tales of Fambrough's talks grows a little more.
On most days, though, Fambrough is more than happy to be on the sideline, simply observing football practice.
Added Allen, who also allowed Fambrough to speak before Missouri games: "It sent goose bumps up and down everyone who listened to him. He has a great passion for the rivalry and a great love for Kansas. He could have convinced you that Quantrill played for Missouri."
"His speeches before Missouri are absolutely legendary," Cantrell said. "He called me out one year and he was saying, 'Damnit Cantrell, it was your damn uncle that came over here and burned down this city!'"
But there's more to the story than a love for football.
Cantrell stepped onto Kansas' campus six years ago with little perspective. He was a Texas boy who knew little about Kansas vs. Missouri, about any rivalries really, and back then he didn't really care.
Then Cantrell met Fambrough, perhaps the most passionate participant of the Border Showdown between Kansas and Missouri.
"It's just weird when he's not out there because he's been such a big part of KU football for so long." Cantrell said. "If you met him once, he remembered your name. It didn't matter what position you were. You were there, you were wearing the uniform and he loved you for that."
Bottom Left: Fambrough holds a helmet signed by Kansas coach Mark Mangino. Since arriving at Kansas in 2002, Mangino has allowed Fambrough to watch every practice.
Top Left: Among his assorted collectibles, Fambrough keeps many items, such as this towel, from games in which Kansas defeated rival Missouri.
Top: Fambrough claims that this "Dead or alive" poster appeared in post offices throughout Columbia, Mo., the town where the University of Missouri is located.
Right: Fambrough points at his favorite item, a painting that depicts three of what he described as his life's greatest achievements: playing football, coaching football and his wife, Del.
For Fambrough, who has been so heavily involved in foot ball throughout his life — and who has been long removed from his coaching days — the ability to remain around the game means more than simply watching football.
"For an old man and an old coach, that means a lot," Fambrough said. "This is the team and the school that I dearly love. I wouldn't ever want to be anywhere else. From somebody coming from Texas, that's speaking pretty good words."
While Fambrough is walking back toward Memorial Stadium one morning, a man in a Kansas football shirt walks up and introduces himself.
The man is giddy, saying it's a pleasure to meet such a
Kansas football legend. He then points to a nearby apartment complex.
"If you're here before the game Coach, you're more than welcome to stop by our tailgate if you want," the man savs.
Fambrough laughs, pats the man on the back and graciously says he'll be there on Saturday. It's all part of the connection between Fambrough and the football program
"The way that he portrays being a Kansan, it's almost like 'we'll take anybody. That's the mind-set of the whole football team,' Cantrell said. "As soon as you're there, you're a Kansan, you're a Jayhawk. He had that ability to bring you along and really make you feel like you were home."
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 9,2009