Mike Leach should be the number one target to replace Turner Gill at Kansas. With Gill being fired over the weekend, Kansas needs someone like Mike Leach. The fact is that Kansas football program is bleeding money. The Jayhawks need a big time hire to excite the fan base and ignite interest in Kansas Football. Besides, a Mike Leach coached Kansas team versus a Tommy Tuberville Texas Tech team would be a must see game.
So, why would Leach be interested in Kansas? The answer is that he wants to get back into coaching and Kansas is in a BCS conference. The fact that it is in the Big 12 is just a bonus. Unlike what is expected at Texas Tech, Leach could probably get away with not doing very much in terms of kissing babies or chatting up donors. Kansas has always been a big time basketball school and Bill Self would probably take the lead on the fundraising front. Going to Kansas would also give Mike Leach yet another chance to prove just how brilliant a coach he really is. Of course most people have already figured that out after seeing what has happened at Texas Tech since Leach left.
Without a doubt, there will be some discussion of the baggage that Mike Leach would bring with him. It should be a non factor. Here is what should be a factor. The next time realignment rears its ugly head, Kansas would be advised to have a football program that people want to watch and can make inroads in the Kansas City market. Yes Leach is different kind of guy, yes Leach speaks his mind, but he wins football games and puts people in the stands.
The other big selling point for Mike Leach is that he does not have to have more talent than the other team in order to win. During his ten year run at Texas Tech he was known for getting more out of his players than almost anyone else. The last six times Mike Leach faced Oklahoma he was 3-3, so he was breaking even against Oklahoma with players that Oklahoma did not even want. Even though Kansas does not have elite talent, they should have enough talent for Leach to win with.
Kansas fans obviously want Mike Leach. Mike Leach wants back into coaching. Now it is time for the Kansas administration to get this thing done.
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