How Could Lew Perkins Leaving Complicate Turner Gill Staying At Kansas?

No, I don't think Kansas head coach Turner Gill is in trouble. 

In fact, I think that he is already solidifying himself, with attitude alone, as a pleasant fixture at the school.

However, athletic director Lew Perkins pending retirement may not bode particularly well for Gill. 

Now, stay open minded, and let's look at a possible situation that Gill hopes he never faces.

Perkins will retire after the coming school year, which will also be Gill's first in Lawrence.

Let's say Gill has an average first season due to transition difficulties, perhaps a 4-8 or 5-7 season being a very realistic possibility (there are a lot of relatively winnable games on the schedule).

Leaving the team after this season will be Jacob Branstetter (K), Alonso Rojas (P), Phillip Strozier (S), Olaitan Oguntodu (S), Chris Harris (CB), Calvin Rubles (CB), Justin Springer (LB), Drew Dudley (LB), Quintin Woods (DE), Jake Laptad (DE), Angus Quigley (RB), Jonathan Wilson (WR), Sal Capra (OL) and Brad Thorson (OL).

This is not the entire group of seniors, but those mentioned are expected to be a quality contributors in 2010.  At this point in time, the senior class of 2011 looks, at best, far less experienced.

So, in 2011, Gill will probably have to work with a very young team and will be trying to come to terms with a new athletic director. 

I have so much faith in Gill's people skills that I don't worry at all about him getting along with any new athletic director. However, athletic directors tend to like having their own guys, right?

Gill will get least one season. But it could be a lousy one. 

With Nebraska defecting before the 2011 season if I'm not mistaken (correct me please if I am), the North-South borders could go out the window.

That would make the 2011 schedule a lot tougher. If Gill has one average season, then one relatively worse one under a new athletic director, could he be in a bit of jeopardy?

I doubt that this scenario would work out in such a fashion, but I certainly hope that Gill hasn't stepped into a potentially bad situation.