A Couple of Remarks Weren't The Only Reason Why Mangino Left Kansas

If you're a Kansas Jayhawks fan, you should be super-annoyed that the powers-that-be in Lawrence decided to fire Mark Mangino.

Yes, we understand that there were locker room shenanigans where Mangino made some derogatory remarks towards players.

But if we're honest, do you think they were any worse than players hear from either their own teammates, opposition teammates, their own or opposing fans, or every other coach in Division I.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not excusing Mangino for allegedly saying what he did. It was wrong.

But you know what? Mangino wasn't fired just because of the remarks.

He was fired because of a monumental collapse in KU's fortune, where seven games turned the Jayhawks from something to nothing.

The Jayhawks went from a 5-0 record to a 5-7 record, losing seven straight games - mainly in stunning circumstances.

The awful loss to Missouri at the end of the season was galling enough. But the 'Hawks were beaten by Colorado, humiliated at home by Nebraska (who doesn't generally score a ton of points—they managed 31 in Lawrence) and Oklahoma, and soundly thrashed by Texas.

Here's the funny thing: It wasn't like they lost to Appalachian State or anything. In fact, they went 5-0 against a soft schedule, and then collapsed.

But why should the ruling powers at KU been surprised?

Mark Mangino turned the program around, taking it from a few players running around next to a wheatfield to a Big XII North power, and the stunning BCS win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

Anyway, the odds are that Mangino will get another job—either as a head coach or offensive coordinator. He's a great recruiter. He's sent talent to the NFL—and with Todd Reesing and Kerry Maier, will have to more students who could well make the big leagues. And more's the case, he's learned his lesson. At least, we hope he has.

Here's 'highlights' from his last game in charge. They don't make pretty looking.