When a head coach can miraculously turn around a moribund program like Lance Leipold did with the Kansas football team, he will surely become a hot name tossed around for other openings.
Despite being mentioned as a candidate for the Washington Huskies head coach vacancy, it seems as if Leipold plans to remain at Kansas.
The Jayhawks' head man himself seems to put to rest all speculation with this comment on X.
This should ease the minds of all Jayhawks' fans. After taking over a program at the beginning of the 2021 season that had won just four Big 12 Conference games over 11 seasons, Leipold has led Kansas to two consecutive bowls games in just his second and third campaigns at the helm.
This past season, the Jayhawks finished with a bowl victory over UNLV and an incredible nine-win season. During his tenure, Kansas has a road win at Texas and a home victory over the then-undefeated Sooners in 2023.
Lance Leipold is building something special at Kansas
Evidently, what Leipold has done over three seasons at Kansas means something to him. He has put together a strong recruiting class for the upcoming 2024 season, and the program is in the midst of a massive stadium renovation and the start of a Gateway District in the area around the stadium.
By stating he is anxious for the player' return from the winter break and he's ready to start working again, he seems to be subtly making it known everyone should ignore all rumors and speculation.
The true indication of his intent was how he ended the comment on X - with a resounding "Rock Chalk!!"
Kansas football has found its man to pull the program up from the destitution in which it was mired for so long. Fans hope it means as much to him as it does to the school, the community, and the fans themselves.
It is possible Leipold can buck the trend of college athletics and prove he is as loyal as he makes himself to be. He has been brilliant in keeping most players from looking elsewhere and keeping them invested in the Kansas program. His staying will solidify that loyalty to players and fan alike.
That is an incredible accomplishment. Hopefully, the speculation around Leipold's possible departure from Kansas can quickly die away and he can get back to what he has been working toward so incredibly — building the Jayhawks into a respected powerhouse in the new Big 12 that will be in place at the beginning of the 2024 football season.
The guys come back to campus tomorrow. Can’t wait to get back to work with them in ‘24!!
— Lance Leipold (@CoachLeipold) January 14, 2024
Rock Chalk!!