Kansas athletic director 'absolutely' expects Lance Leipold to remain with Jayhawks

Kansas athletic director Travis Goff is not counting on head football coach Lance Leipold going anywhere this offseason. After leading the Jayhawks to a 5-0 start in just his second season, Leipold has emerged as a candidate for several coaching vacancies across the country, including Nebraska and Wisconsin.

After another head coaching job came open Monday with Auburn announcing the firing of Bryan Harsin, Goff was asked whether he expects Leipold to return to Lawrence in 2023. That prompted a short but clear response from the Kansas AD.

“Absolutely,” Goff said according to Kansas City radio host Soren Petro. “Without hesitation.”

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Kansas’ surprising start this season allowed it to crack the AP top 25 for the first time since 2009. The Jayhawks have since gone on to lose three straight games, but their five wins are already tied for the most since that 2009 season. With four games remaining on the schedule, they have a good chance to make their first bowl game in 13 seasons also.

Lance Leipold has also confirmed his desire to remain at Kansas, saying that he and his family are happy where they’re at.

“To sit there and worry about being anywhere else than here is something that’s a waste of time because my wife and I, in our family, are extremely happy here and expect to be here a long time,” Leipold said on Fox Sports Radio with Doug Gottlieb earlier this month.

Still, things change rapidly all the time in college football, and even with those comments it isn’t inconceivable that Leipold would leave for a more prestigious program. He is also a Wisconsin native who won six national championships at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, so if the Badgers come calling it could be hard for him to ignore.

But if you believe the statements from Goff and Leipold, there is no question about where he will be coaching next season.