+
KANSAN.COM
WHAT TO WATCH
Missu Minear/KANSAN
Now-junior linebacker Joe Dineen, Jr. attempts to tackle Baylor wide receiver Jay Lee. Baylor defeated Kansas 66-7.
Up Close and Personal: Linebacker Joe Dineen Jr.
> CLAUDIA CLOSE
@claudia_close
10 most Jayhawk fans, he's one of the standout players on the football team. But to the rest of his teammates? He's known as "The Mavor."
Junior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr.'s nickname was coined first as a joke by coach David Beaty, then it stuck. Beaty knows that on game day, Dineen flips a switch and does what needs to be done. He sees such strong leadership in his player, just like a mayor is responsible for leading a city — hence the nickname.
It's fitting for the Kansas linebacker, who has grown up in Lawrence.
As a Lawrence Free State player, Dineen always knew he was going to end up a Jayhawk. His family Kansas lineage only solidified his decision; his mother played volleyball for Kansas, his grandfather played running back on the football team
and his great-grandfather was a member of the 1936- 37 Kansas basketball team coached by Phog Allen.
"Growing up here, you become a Jayhawk fan," Dineen said. "I feel like if I had left, it would've been bad on my part. I feel like I owe it to the town."
Dineen started playing football when he was in third grade and soon realized he loved playing the game. He worked from being just "okay" to a top linebacker recruit in the state. Additionally, the competitive nature of his family helped push his athletic background to where it is today.
"My dad let us do what we want." Dineen said. "Yes, he pushed us, but not to the point where we didn't like sports."
That was how he found football.
Dineen's dream of playing at the collegiate level started during his sophomore year while playing on the varsity
football team at Free State High School.
Overall, I just want to help my team win,and if we can get a 'W' at the end of the day,I'll be happy with that.
Joe Dineen Jr.
Junior linebacker
He soon found his way to the University, first as a running back before moving to linebacker after his freshman year. In his sophomore year, he made a crucial impact for the Jayhawks, with the second-most tackles on the team.
Using the 2015 season as motivation, it still sits as a dark cloud over the team. But Dineen has moved past that.
"I'm still embarrassed
Now-junior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr tackles a TCU ballcarrier during a game in the 2014 season. **File Photo/KANSAN**
File Photo/KANSAN
able future, he says that if the NFL presents itself, that would be ideal. Football is plan A.
"I'm going to KU so I'm going to get a good education and have a back-up plan," he said, "but I think number one would be the NFL for sure."
doesn't want to set expectations, and instead goals for himself and his defensive unit.
"I don't really care about expectations for myself, as long as we win. Overall, I just want to help my team win, and if we can get a 'W' at the end of the day, I'll be happy with that," he said.
we went 0-12, but you can't look at the past," Dineen said. "There's nothing I can do about that now. The team has built on that and attacked it head-on. The work we've put in [over the summer] is reflective of how we do not want that to happen again."
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Dineen
As for Dineen's foreseee-
1