Head coach Lance Leipold of the Kansas Jayhawks
After enduring 13 consecutive losing seasons, Head Coach Lance Leipold has completely transformed the landscape of Kansas Football.
In 2021, the Jayhawks finished last in the Big 12 with a 2-10 record. However, they became one of college football’s most surprising teams in 2022, wrapping up the season with a 6-7 record, which included a bowl appearance.
As a result of their turnaround, KU climbed as high as No. 19 in the AP Poll, marking their first appearance in the rankings since 2009.
During the most recent season, the Jayhawks capped off a 9-4 campaign with a victory in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl over UNLV.
CBS Sports released its Top 25 head coaches of power five programs, with Leipold earning the No. 12 spot. Among Big 12 head coaches, only Kyle Whittingham of Utah ranked higher.
For the past decade, Kansas had been the butt of jokes in the Big 12. However, with two consecutive successful seasons, Leipold has completely altered that narrative.
His defining moment this season came against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners, as the Jayhawks dashed Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff hopes with a 38-33 upset victory in Week 8.
Much of the praise has been directed towards quarterbacks Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean, but it was Leipold’s game plan that ignited the upset. KU rushed for four touchdowns, including two by star running back Devin Neal and one by Daniel Hishaw Jr., while Bean also contributed with a rushing touchdown.
The Jayhawks aim to extend their streak of bowl game appearances to three straight seasons, beginning with their season opener against Lindenwood on Thursday, Aug. 29.
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