Barfknecht: KU has Mangino on the rocks

Who is the real Mark Mangino?

Is the Kansas football coach a hothead who verbally and physically abuses players and staff, as alleged by some former Jayhawks now that an internal investigation of Mangino's behavior has begun?

Or is he the smart, wise-cracking guy his friends know as “Bear'' who likes a good intellectual debate and is known behind the scenes for compassionate acts for those in need?

The answer may be some of both.

But the answer doesn't matter by now because the evidence strongly suggests Mangino, the consensus 2007 national coach of the year, is down to his last game at KU after eight seasons.

It's long been known that Athletic Director Lew Perkins, a powerful figure nationally, and Mangino weren't best buddies.

The Kansas chancellor has publicly supported Perkins since the internal investigation became public a week ago.

And the dance of the lawyers looks like it has begun as both sides try to see which will end up closest to the apparent $6.6 million buyout that Mangino would be owed.

The sudden appearance of documents about Mangino's behavior — something not done unless a case is airtight — will be used to try to bargain that down. Mangino is admitting nothing in an effort to keep all he can.

“It hasn't played out yet, and it's not over,'' Mangino said Monday during his regular time slot on the Big 12 coaches teleconference. “You can only focus on the things you can control in life. And that's what I'm doing.''

I asked Mangino what communication he has had with Perkins or other KU administrators in the past week.

After a pause, Mangino replied: “Practically none. Just a social call from the A.D. last week for a few minutes.''

Does he wish that were different?

“I don't know if there should be or shouldn't,'' Mangino said. “You always like communication with everybody. But I'm good. I'm fine.''

Three Big 12 coaches who have worked with Mangino are scratching their heads over the allegations.

“The entire time I've been around Mark,'' Oklahoma's Bob Stoops said, “the players were always very close with him and appreciated him, and he always did everything that was appropriate.''

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said he has no knowledge of Mangino being abusive toward players.

“And not a whole lot slips under the radar in that respect,'' Snyder said. “I think he handles players well, and I think he has great respect for those players.''

Texas Tech's Mike Leach pulled no punches, saying: “My suspicion is Mark's in the middle of a witch-hunt, which is unjustified.''

Leach said it's too bad if some players think Mangino is “a mean man'' who tells them what to do.

“There's a mean man in Lubbock who tells people stuff they don't want to hear, too,'' Leach said. “That's just part of it.''

Mangino was hired to bring toughness and good results to a Kansas football program known for little of either through the years.

A win Saturday over Missouri would make KU bowl eligible for the fifth straight season. Before Mangino arrived, the school had never played in back to back bowls.

He was a hero when Kansas went 12-1 in 2007, rose to No. 2 in the polls late in November and won the Orange Bowl.

But two things have put Mangino's neck in a noose: the current six-game losing skid in a year many picked Kansas to win the Big 12 North; and a $34 million building project called the Gridiron Club.

Response to the Gridiron Club, a 3,000-seat tower of luxury suites at KU's Memorial Stadium, has been tepid since announced in September. It is Perkins' job to sell those spots.

The thought of repeated meetings between the big wallets and a football coach who (A) is losing; (B) is known for his temper and low tolerance for schmoozing; and (C) doesn't fit KU's image because of his weight trouble apparently has school leaders looking elsewhere.

Who is the football coach/suite salesman to save the day in Lawrence?

An NFL guy? A former player such as Nolan Cromwell, now the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M? A famous basketball coach?

The curious timing of when this broke — two weeks before the end of the regular season — had led to speculation that Perkins already has his man. We may find out as early as Saturday night.

South still rising

It's a tired old song, but it plays over and over and over again in the Big 12.

In cross-division games in 2009, the South holds a monstrous edge against the North — 13-5 — entering the Dec. 5 title match between Texas (11-0) and Nebraska (8-3).

This is the seventh time in the past eight years the South has won more games than the North. The only time the North held the edge (2007), the margin was 10-9.

No North team went undefeated against the South this season. The only school with a winning record was 2-1 Nebraska (beat Baylor and Oklahoma; lost to Texas Tech).

Those of you who insist this imbalance is cyclical, check this out:

The South's winning percentage against the North the past eight seasons is .689 (104-47).

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com