Todd Reesing Getting Picked On?: Analyzing the Mark Mangino Controversy

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It's funny how one player sitting on the bench for a minute longer than normal can cause an entire football nation to start questioning his relationship with the coach and status on the team.

I guess that's what happens if your name is Todd Reesing and you're benched instead of being given the opportunity to engineer one last drive for the Jayhawks to keep them in the game.

But guess what?  Mark Mangino made the right choice.

It was not a question of quarterback controversy or strategy, as Reesing is still the best quarterback on this team and without a doubt was a better fit for the situation.

It was not about giving up or playing for the future, either.  The Jayhawks have four games left, three of which are very winnable ones.  Plus, Mangino is stubborn guy who does not know the meaning of 'giving up'; he always plays for here and now.

Some people even think that the switch was made to send a message.  This one could be closer to home, and KU's head-honcho is no stranger to motivational tactics.  Still, even if Reesing got some 'message', I just have a hard time, in this particular situation, rationalizing that Mangino actually intended to send one, but I'll admit, it's really just a hunch.

Coach Mangino has already explained himself repeatedly, and call me stupid, but I believed every word of it and will stand by his decision completely, even if no one else does. 

The only reason Reesing was benched is because he was ineffective.

Call it a hamstring injury, a slump, bad match-ups, poor blocking, or whatever you will, but if something is not working, fix it.  In that case, it was the entire Kansas offense, and it makes sense for Mangino to try starting at the source when looking for a quick solution.

It doesn't matter how often Reesing's name appears in the record books; a good coach would never let any player struggle so continually and not do something about it.  The Jayhawk signal-caller is no exception.

Sure Reesing was probably a little upset, and I would've wanted a better explanation out of my coach too; anyone half as competitive as the Kansas captain would have been a little disgruntled.

I just don't think there was a better reason to give.  Sparky has been rather un-shocking lately, and Mangino was only trying to find other ways to ignite a dry offense.

Reesing could make this into a really big deal, but ultimately I don't think he will.  He's a great football player, and he knows that Mangino is a great coach.  Besides, like I said before, Reesing is among the game's greatest competitors, and he will do whatever it takes to win.

Reesing said that it wasn't his call and that he will live, and he said it all with that air of confidence fans want to hear out of every player.  Mangino knows he will be back, Reesing knows he will be back, and I know he will be back; it's only a matter of when.

The only rift that currently or ever will exist between Todd Reesing and Mark Mangino right now is the rift caused by the media wedging its way into the smallest situations and attempting to make it news-worthy.  (No offense, Tim Griffin of ESPN, because you're still my favorite writer and I understand why you do what you do.)

I hope Reesing's play is due to nothing more than your groin injury, and I hope he recovers quickly.  We will need him at full strength to make the best out of the remaining season.

Until then, everyone just needs to support the best quarterback in the history of our school as he continues working hard, stays confident, and truly does move on.

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