Says Mangino of the issue,

“I run this program with a lot of integrity. I have been in this conference for nearly 20 years, and what I can tell you is that our coaching intensity is not largely different from the rest of the Big Eight and Big 12 teams I’ve observed.”

Mangino was accused of poking linebacker Arist Wright in the chest at a recent practice. Former KU running back Jocque Crawford chimed in when he heard the accusations, saying that he transferred because of Mangino’s “disrespectful” coaching tactics. He was joined by two other former players who wished to remain anonymous, but who say that they were also personally attacked by the coach.

Mark Mangion, Image: Newscom

Some players, however, are on Mangino’s side. Senior captain Kerry Meier says that he never knew there was angry tension between Mangino and the rest of the team. He was surprised by Wright’s accusations and had nothing but praise for the coach, who had taken the team to a 5 – 5 record so far this season. The Jayhawks need one more win to qualify for a bowl game.

Some critics, however, have called Mangino “an abusive bully.” Is that enough for him to lose his job?

Let’s say, for a second, that the accusations against Mangino are completely true. Some are saying they’re not and the coach himself denies the claims, but let’s just pretend that they’re completely true, with no exaggeration. Is the lack of respect enough for the coach to be fired?

I don’t think it is, as long as the team is winning games. This isn’t summer camp. This isn’t high school football. If the coach is an ass, these players can make the choice not to play for him. They’re adults. It’s like working for a boss who is an ass. You either deal with it to make your money or you find another job. That’s what these players can do – deal with it to play for Kansas or find another team.

I don’t necessarily think that being disrespectful to the players is a good idea. It isn’t a way to make your team want to play well for you, and it isn’t a good way to grow closer to win games. Mangino will probably have problems recruiting players because of this issue, too. If all of that means that he’s not the best coach possible, then yes, Kansas should fire him.

But if he’s just a jerk…then players need to suck it up or go play for another school. It’s that simple.

Post from: EveryJoe

Should Mangino be Fired?

Undefeated:

• Alabama
• Boise State
• Cincinnati
• Florida
• Iowa
• Kansas
• South Florida
• TCU
• Texas

Winless

• Ball State
• Eastern Michigan
• Florida Atlantic
• Miami (OH)
• New Mexico
• Rice
• Western Kentucky

Really, I think the big surprises here are that there are no major surprises. Few people would have put Iowa on the undefeated list when predicting records at this point in the season, considering that they played Penn State, but once again, the boys at Happy Valley choked.

I guess South Florida on the list is a little surprising too. They haven’t had a totally easy season. Cincinnati has (sorry, I know ya’ll love ‘em, but I’m not sure they aren’t totally overrated). Next week, they play one another, so that will end for one team.

WR Mardy Gilyard has been important for the Bearcats so far this season. Can they continue to charge ahead as they meet harder opponents on the field? Image: Newscom

I’m hoping that Cincinnati proves they deserve to be ranked so high, but I don’t think South Florida will just roll over.

As for the winless list…well…let’s just say that Michigan is happy to not be on it.

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 Midseason Undefeated and Winless

#4 Texas 45, Baylor 21

• Texas vs. Baylor at City Limits
• Texas vs Baylor: #52 Brings the Heat! at The Michners
• Baylor. My God. at Fire Mack Brown

Colorado 28, Iowa State 24

• Colorado 28, Iowa State 24 at Iowa State Cyclones Football

Nebraska 45, Kansas 35

• Nebraska uses big second half to beat Kansas at The College Game
• Nebraska vs. Kansas Post Game Overreaction at Corn Nation
• Nebraska Downs Kansas, 45-35 at Big Red Network

#6 Oklahoma 66, Texas A&M 28

• Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M at Sports by the Numbers
• Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma at Voice of the 13th Generation
• Another Day At The Office: Oklahoma Routs Texas A&M 66-28 at Crimson and Cream Machine
• Oklahoma dominates Texas A&M at Oklahoma Sooners Football

#14 Missouri 41, Kansas State 24

• No. 13 Missouri takes down Kansas State, 41-24 at Rock M Nation
• K-State falls to No. 13 Missouri, 41-24 at Kansas State Football Headline News

#2 Texas Tech 56, #9 Oklahoma State 20

• Post Game Quotes – Oklahoma State 20, Texas Tech 56 at Double-T Nation
• Oklahoma State no problem for Texas Tech at Sports Corner
• Texas Tech v. Oklahoma State & Other College Football Musings at Cranky Greg’s View
• Graham Harrell (and Texas Tech) at The Big Lead
• #2 TEXAS TECH demolished #9 OKLAHOMA STATE 20 – 56 at Michael Madison’s blog

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 11: Blogging about the Big 12

Kansas 52, Kansas State 21

• Game At-A-Glance: Kansas 52, K-State 21 at Kansas State Football

Texas A&M 24, Colorado 17

• Texas A&M uses 2nd-half run to bounce Colorado at College Football Blog

#14 Missouri 31, Baylor 28

• Missouri-Baylor Analysis at Nick Sloan’s Official Web Site
• Behind the Numbers … and more at Missouri Tigers Football, Sports Snipe

#9 Oklahoma State 59, Iowa State 17

• Cowboys rip Cyclones 59-17 at Oklahoma State Football

#7 Texas Tech 39, #1 Texas 33

• Texas Tech Over Texas at Dreadnaught
• Crazy Texas Tech Upset: How An 8-Team Playoff System Would Look at Bulldog Maroon & White
• Good Start, Great Finish at Heartland Pinstripes
• Post Game Venting at Finding Balance
• The Bell Has Been Rung… at Happy Hour Valley

#4 Oklahoma 62, Nebraska 28

• Oklahoma 62 – Nebraska 28 at HuskerZone
• Final: Oklahoma 62, Nebraska 28 at OUInsider News

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 10: Blogging about the Big 12

#8 Texas Tech 63, #23 Kansas 21

• OSU’s Moral Victory, OU’s Defense at Sports Xtra Blog
• Texas Tech Guns Down the Jayhawks at Piratesportsguy’s Weblog

#4 Oklahoma 58, Kansas State 35

• No. 4 Oklahoma survives rally to beat Kansas State, 58-35 at Oklahoma Sooners Football
• No. 4 Oklahoma scores 55 in first half win over Kansas State. at Hook’s Center

Nebraska 32, Baylor 20

• Breaking down Nebraska vs. Baylor at The College Game
• Bears Fall Short at Nebraska 32-20 at Baylor Bears News

#1 Texas 28, #6 Oklahoma State 24

• Colt McCoy is Mortal at Last Row
• Postgame React: Texas 28 Oklahoma State 24 at Burnt Orange Nation
• Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson: ‘We let Texas off the hook’ at Texas Longhorns Football

#15 Missouri 58, Colorado 0

• No. 16 Tigers Rout Colorado, 58-0 at Missouri Football News
• Beat Down Reaction: Missouri Tigers vs Colorado Buffaloes Review at The Ralphie Report

Texas A&M 49, Iowa State 35

• Cyclones fall to A&M despite 574 yards at Iowa State Cyclones Football

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 9: Blogging about the Big 12

#7 Texas Tech 43, Texas A&M 25

• Post Game Thread: Texas Tech 43, Texas A&M 25 at Double-T Nation

Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7

• Game 7: Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7 at Dirty Laundry
• Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7 at August Cool

#8 Oklahoma State 34, Baylor 6

• Avoiding the Trap: OSU downs Baylor 34-6 at Oklahoma State Football

#4 Oklahoma 45, #16 Kansas 31

• Oklahoma 45, Kansas 31: Final Thoughts – Report Card at Crimson and Cream Machine
• Kansas Football Falls at Oklahoma, 45-31 at Kansas Jayhawks News

Colorado 14, Kansas State 13

• GPC Video: Colorado 14, K-State 13 at Kansas State Football

#1 Texas 56, #11 Missouri 31

• The Good, The Bad, and The Good – Texas 56, Missouri 31 at Barking Carnival
• Texas 56; Missouri 31 at Drudge.com

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC 

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 8: Blogging about the Big 12

#7 Texas Tech 43, Texas A&M 25

• Post Game Thread: Texas Tech 43, Texas A&M 25 at Double-T Nation

Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7

• Game 7: Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7 at Dirty Laundry
• Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7 at August Cool

#8 Oklahoma State 34, Baylor 6

• Avoiding the Trap: OSU downs Baylor 34-6 at Oklahoma State Football

#4 Oklahoma 45, #16 Kansas 31

• Oklahoma 45, Kansas 31: Final Thoughts – Report Card at Crimson and Cream Machine
• Kansas Football Falls at Oklahoma, 45-31 at Kansas Jayhawks News

Colorado 14, Kansas State 13

• GPC Video: Colorado 14, K-State 13 at Kansas State Football

#1 Texas 56, #11 Missouri 31

• The Good, The Bad, and The Good – Texas 56, Missouri 31 at Barking Carnival
• Texas 56; Missouri 31 at Drudge.com

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC 

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 8: Blogging about the Big 12

#7 Texas Tech 43, Texas A&M 25

• Post Game Thread: Texas Tech 43, Texas A&M 25 at Double-T Nation

Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7

• Game 7: Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7 at Dirty Laundry
• Nebraska 35, Iowa State 7 at August Cool

#8 Oklahoma State 34, Baylor 6

• Avoiding the Trap: OSU downs Baylor 34-6 at Oklahoma State Football

#4 Oklahoma 45, #16 Kansas 31

• Oklahoma 45, Kansas 31: Final Thoughts – Report Card at Crimson and Cream Machine
• Kansas Football Falls at Oklahoma, 45-31 at Kansas Jayhawks News

Colorado 14, Kansas State 13

• GPC Video: Colorado 14, K-State 13 at Kansas State Football

#1 Texas 56, #11 Missouri 31

• The Good, The Bad, and The Good – Texas 56, Missouri 31 at Barking Carnival
• Texas 56; Missouri 31 at Drudge.com

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC 

(check back soon if the link isn’t live yet)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 8: Blogging about the Big 12

Baylor against Iowa State

• Iowa State falls to Baylor 38-10 at Iowa State Daily
• Final stats BU 38, ISU 10 at Covering the Spread

Colorado against #16 Kansas

• Buffs Fall to 16th Ranked Jayhawks at KKCO Sports

Kansas State against Texas A&M

• KSU shredding A&M defense at College Confidential
• K-State wins high-scoring game at A&M at Rivals

#3 Missouri against #17 Oklahoma State

• Oklahoma State Pops Missouri, 28-23, in Columbia! at Bob McCarty Writes
• The king is dead… at Brooklyn Sports Geeks

Nebraska against #7 Texas Tech

• No. 7 Texas Tech survives, tops Nebraska in OT at NBC Sports
• TEXAS TECH SURVIVES SCARE FROM NEBRASKA at College Football Talk
• Report card: Nebraska vs. Texas Tech at Husker Extra

#1 Oklahoma against #5 Texas

• Longhorns Win!!! at Big Dawg Rants
• Texas Gets Some Fire on the Sideline at The Quad
• Colt McCoy has Tebow’s Back at Last Row

(All the Big 12 teams played this week)

Other conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Independents, Mid-American, Mountain West, Pac-10, SEC, Sun Belt, WAC    (if the link you click isn’t working yet, stop back later)

Post from: EveryJoe

2008 Week 7: Blogging about the Big 12

Problem is, this isn’t a movie. There are a lot of young fans in the audience and watching TV, and some think that this cheer is embarrassing and inappropriate. On Thursday, Kansas coach Mark Mangino actually sent out an email to the students, asking them to forget the chant.

Still, for some, it is just a fun tradition. Even some of the team members stand behind it – senior linebacker Joe Mortensen said that it is motivation. Students ignored the requests to censor their shout and yelled it again today, causing the alumni and other fans to boo loudly.

I can see both sides on this one. There are other, non-offensive ways to cheer on Kansas, but maybe people are being a little too sensitive. What do you think?

Picture via Newscom.

Post from: EveryJoe

Rip it Off or Cut it Out? The Kansas Chant