Believe it or not it's football time again...well at least spring football time. Over the next few weeks and leading up to the spring game on April 11th the team will be conducting practices both public and private and putting in the work to set the table for a productive summer and fall.
Spring provides a time where a lot of questions can be answered and it provides an opportunity for both new and old to shake off the rust and make a case for more playing time. Over the next week we'll take a look at the offense as well as the defense and anything else you all want to discuss. Obviously we'll be squeezing this in during March Madness but we'll also be covering important tidbits from spring ball as well maybe with weekly updates or something of the sort.
If there is anything you all would like to see or have questions on feel free to make comments, suggestions etc. and we'll do our best.
Tomorrow we'll have a recap of coach Mangino's press conference to kick things off but for today I just want to give you the date's and some general info on the team and what to expect over the next month and starting early next week we'll take a look at the players and more in depth previews.
jump into the post for Spring Football Summary and dates...
First off the schedule of events and if you’re fortunate enough to make it to any of the open practices or the spring game I encourage you to do so. These guys go to hell and back to put the product on the field that we’ve recently grown accustomed to and the least we can do is show we appreciate it. If you can, please do.
Monday, March 9 Practice
Wednesday, March 11 Practice (Open to Public)
Friday, March 13 Practice
Saturday, March 14 Practice
March 15-24 Spring Break - No Practice
Wednesday, March 25 Practice
Friday, March 27 Practice (Open to Public)
Saturday, March 28 Practice
Monday, March 30 Practice
Wednesday, April 1 Practice
Friday, April 3 Practice
Saturday, April 4 Practice
Monday, April 6 Practice
Wednesday, April 8 Practice
Friday, April 10 Practice
Saturday, April 11 Spring Game (Time To Be Announced)
There were a handful of changes and promotions on the staff this offseason so as a recap here’s a look at the 2009 Kansas Football Coaching staff.
Record at Kansas: 45-41 (seven seasons)
Overall Record: Same
Ed Warinner (Mount Union, 1984) Associate Head Coach/Off. Coord./QB 5th Year
Clint Bowen (Kansas, 1994) Defensive Coordinator/Safeties 9th Year
John Reagan (Syracuse, 1994) Offensive LIne/Run Game Coordinator 5th Year
Bill Miller (Texas-Arlington, 1974) Linebackers/Co-Defensive Coordinator 1st Year
Brandon Blaney (Youngstown State, 1999) Tight Ends/Asst. OL/Recruiting Coord. 8th Year
Je’Ney Jackson (Wyoming, 1998) Cornerbacks 3rd Year
David Beaty (Lindenwood, 1994) Wide Receivers 2nd Year
Louie Matsakis (Emporia State, 2000) Running Backs/Special Teams 3rd Year
Tom Sims (Pittsburgh, 1990) Defensive Line 1st Year
Strength Coach: Chris Dawson (Oklahoma, 1995)
Director of Football Operations: George Matsakis (Kansas State, 1994)
Director of Sports Medicine: Murphy Grant (Quincy, 1997)
On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator: Rajeeb Hossain (Central Oklahoma, 2000)
Equipment Coordinator: Jeff Himes (Kent State, 1983)
Offensive Graduate Assistant: Tommy Mangino (Washburn, 2008)
Defensive Graduate Assistant: Kevin Carberry (Ohio, 2005)
A look at what we lost and what we return simply from a number standpoint and nothing else.
Lettermen Returning: 42 Lettermen Lost: 18
Offense: 18 Offense: 9
Defense: 21 Defense: 9
Specialists: 3 Specialists: 0
Starters Returning: 18 Starters Lost: 8
Offense: 8 Offense: 4
Defense: 7 Defense: 4
Specialists: 3 Specialists: 0
KANSAS NOTABLES -- Here are a few notes heading into the 2009 season:
Kansas has won 16 of its last 18 non-conference games, including two bowl victories.
Kansas has won 14 of its last 16 home games.
Four of KU’s five losses in 2008 were to ranked teams, including three games to teams ranked in the top eight at kickoff.
Kansas played 16 freshmen in 2008, including five regular starters in DT Richard Johnson, TE Tim Biere, CB Daymond Patterson, OT Jeff Spikes and OT Jeremiah Hatch.
KU won 11 Big 12 Conference games in the last two seasons combined, a total the Jayhawks had recorded in the previous five years combined.
Did you know that Kansas owns the Big 12 Conference’s best bowl record since the league was formed ahead of the 2006 season? KU is 3-1 for a .750 winning percentage. Texas is second at 8-4 (.667).
PLAYER NOTABLE -- Here are a few player notes:
• QB Todd Reesing will look to become the first player to lead Kansas in passing in three seasons since Chip Hilleary (1990-91-92). In fact, since 1937 only Ralph Miller (1938-39, 41), Ray Evans (1942, 46-47), Wally Strauch (1955-56-57), David Jaynes (1871-72-73), Frank Seurer (1980-81-82-83), Kelly Donohoe (1987-88-89) and Hilleary have accomplished that feat.
• WR Dezmon Briscoe (135) needs just 21 receptions to become the KU career receptions leader (Mark Simmons had 155).
• Briscoe (1,903) needs just 364 receiving yards to become the KU career receiving yardage leader (Willie Vaughn had 2,266).
• S Darrell Stuckey’s 98 tackles in 2008 were the most by a KU defensive back since Tony Stubbs had an identical 98 in 2003.
• RB Jake Sharp has rushed for at least 800 yards in consecutive seasons despite not being a full-time starter in either season.
We’ll dive in deeper into the players and what to look for in the offensive and defensive previews early this week with some weekly updates as practices go on. That’s all for now.