Another Kansas football head coaching search officially begins

In an email to donors on Thursday night, new Athletic Director Travis Goff informed the KU faithful of his plans to hire Kansas football’s next head coach.

According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Goff will be conducting a national search to find a permanent head coach for the program. Goff reportedly met with interim head coach Emmett Jones, the football staff, and the players on Thursday to inform them of his decision.

"“I have emphasized to that group how thankful I am for their leadership and commitment during this challenging time,” Goff said in his email. “Coach Jones has done an outstanding job in this interim role and will be a candidate in this process.”AD Travis Goff on his head coaching search"

While Jones is listed as a candidate for the job, all signs point to this being an external hire.

Some of the external names rumored to be interested include:

–        Lance Leipold, current head coach at Buffalo.

–        Jeff Monken, current head coach at Army.

–        Willie Fritz, current head coach at Tulane.

–        Kevin Kane, former Kansas linebacker and current associate head coach/linebackers coach at Illinois.

–        Dan Lanning, the current defensive coordinator at Georgia.

It’s unclear whether or not there is a search firm assisting Goff, but it’s very likely. And over the past week, Goff has been doing his research and talking to people who know the program well to get their input on the search.

An educated guess would be that interviews will start early next week, with a decision on the hire likely being announced by the end of the month.

“We will take the time necessary to identify our next head coach and ask for your patience and support during this important chapter for Kansas football,” wrote Goff.

Whenever the decision is announced, it will be the most informed decision Goff could have possibly made.

Though Kansas fans are understandably anxious to hear who the next head coach will be, Goff’s handling of this process should be applauded for his attention to detail and his dedication to getting this hire right.