Report: Lance Leipold Withdraws from Washington HC Search, Expected to Stay at Kansas

Lance Leipold has withdrawn from the Washington coaching search and is expected to stay with Kansas, per The Athletic's Chris Vannini.

The Jayhawks' head coach, who led Kansas to a 9-4 record last season, posted his excitement to be with his team again on social media Sunday, shutting down any rumors that he's taking the job at Washington.

"The guys come back to campus tomorrow," Leipold wrote. "Can't wait to get back to work with them in '24!! Rock Chalk!!"

According to Vannini, Leipold is also expected to receive a contract extension at Kansas after earning $5.75 million in 2023.

Leipold has had a successful tenure as Kansas' head coach, and it has led to interest from several other schools, including Washington. Leipold took over as the Jayhawks' head coach in 2021 after the team went 0-9 under Les Miles in 2020. Kansas went 2-10 in his first season, but showed growth in 2022, going 6-7.

This year, Kansas saw its best season since 2007, finishing 9-4 with a win over Oklahoma and a second-straight bowl appearance. Before the 2023 season, the Jayhawks had 14-consecutive losing seasons.

Now, Washington will continue its search to replace Kalen Deboer, who left to take over as Alabama's head coach following Nick Saban's retirement. Whoever ends up as the Huskies' head coach will have big shoes to fill, as Deboer went 25-3 in his two seasons, reaching the national championship game this year.