Mangino, Jayhawks say team is united amid controversy

AUSTIN, Texas -- Mark Mangino coached like a man with nothing to lose.

It's likely that Mark Mangino won't be in Kansas next season. (US Presswire)

A fourth-down gamble on the first series of the game against Texas. An onside kick in the second quarter. A double pass. All of them failed during Saturday's 51-20 loss to Texas, which raises the obvious question regarding the embattled Kansas coach:

What were they going to do, fire him?

No, not yet. But an eventual separation between Mangino and Kansas after this season seems likely based on interviews conducted by CBSSports.com on Saturday. The coach is currently under investigation by the university after multiple players, past and current, came forward earlier this week complaining of mental and, in one case, perceived physical abuse from the coach.

That player, starting linebacker Arist Wright, accused Mangino of poking him in the chest during a walk-through at Colorado earlier this season. Mangino was asked if he has talked to Wright one-on-one since the accusation this week prior to Saturday's loss.

"I coach him every day," the coach said. "He takes coaching every day. Let's just put it that way."

Mangino was asked if his team was united.

"It is a united team," he said. "We are a 5-6 football team and this is one of the most resilient groups of kids I have ever been around ... I really think they understand about dealing with adversity in life. I've been on winning teams that I'm not sure have had that. These kids do."

The Lawrence Journal-World reported on Saturday that the school has seemingly taken the first steps in examining a "termination for cause" clause in Mangino's contract. According to the paper, termination for cause is defined as, "discreditable conduct that is inconsistent with the professional standards expected of a head coach of a collegiate sports team and that is seriously prejudicial to the best interest of the University or Athletics."

A three-person panel could eventually determine if a firing for cause was proper. If it voids the firing, according to the paper, Kansas could owe as much as $6.6 million to Mangino. What is more likely is that the two sides come to a settlement. Mangino's agent is Neil Cornrich, who also represents Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, among others.

Safety Justin Thornton was asked to address a rumor that a quarter of the team would have left if nothing was done about Mangino's conduct.

"I'm not going to comment on that," Thornton said. "I'll be happy to answer questions after all this unfolds."

He was also asked if the team was united.

"I honestly think I can speak for a majority of our team. The majority of our guys are going out there giving everything they've got," Thornton said. "But there are a few on our team that probably feel differently."

Kansas did play hard following the turbulent week. A raised voice could be heard behind a closed door outside the Kansas locker room after the game but nothing out of the ordinary. One voice could be heard closing the post-game session by saying, "F--- Mizzou on two. One, two. 'F--- Mizzou!' "

Kansas plays its bitter rival Missouri on Saturday to end the regular season. It needs to win to become bowl eligible.