Report: Kansas, Lance Leipold agrees to contract extension

According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Kansas Jayhawks and head coach Lance Leipold have agreed to a new contract extension. After completely turning around the program in Year Two and seeing Leipold’s name linked to other coaching vacancies, Kansas is able to lock him down for years to come.

“Sources: Kansas and coach Lance Leipold have agreed to terms on a new contract, which includes an extension through the 2029 season,” Thamel said. “The new deal is structured to keep Leipold at Kansas for the long-term.”

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Thamel explained how the new contract was to prove a “substantial commitment” to the football program moving forward. It’s been a while since Kansas has been interested in competing on the gridiron. With Leipold running the show, the Jayhawks now have a chance to do so.

“Leipold is a National Coach of the Year candidate after leading Kansas to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2008,” said Thamel. “The new deal, combined with $300 million in facility investments announced in Oct., are signs of Kansas’ substantial commitment to football moving forward.”

More on Lance Leipold, tenure at Kansas

Leipold was hired away from Buffalo, hoping to help bring Kansas out of the basement of college football. When he took over, the Jayhawks had a total of 17 wins over the past decade, including two winless seasons. No Power Five program across the country was as bad.

Over the past two years, Leipold has won eight of his 23 games. Six of them have come during the 2022 season, which has Kansas bowl eligible for the first time since 2008. Any kind of turnaround in Lawrence would have been an incredible accomplishment. Doing so in such a short period is why Leipold is getting the contract extension.

Another reason is due to Leipold being connected to the Nebraska job. A long list of candidates is still on the table for athletic director Trev Alberts, including the head coach of their old Big 8/Big 12 rival. Tuesday’s report from Thamel retroactively shuts down Leipold leaving for Lincoln.

Leipold will now have the opportunity to celebrate his contract extension in style, with an important in-state rivalry matchup against Kansas State coming on Saturday. It’s a win and you’re in scenario for the Wildcats in regard to the Big 12 Championship. Kansas will be hoping to play spoiler.