Lance Leipold reveals key to Kansas' quick turnaround

Kansas had a quick turnaround under Lance Leipold after took over on the fly just two years ago. He went 2-10 in his first season (2021) after a successful tenure at Buffalo.

But a 6-7 season last year with a Liberty Bowl appearance pointed out that Leipold might’ve been the right guy to lead a tremendous college football turnaround. The Jayhawks were down in the dumps in the Power Five.

But now, they’re a solid Big 12 contender.

“I just think finally we’ve been able to build some routine and trust, first of all, within our program, for us to be — our young men had gone through a lot of transition,” Leipold said. “I think the daily process of getting better and really holistic development has been a key for us as a program.”

Leipold referenced the success Kansas had on the road last fall as a reason for confidence.

“I think when we went on the road to Morgantown and then went down to Houston and battled back from deficits and found a way to win on the road, the confidence and belief started to really take even a larger step and kind of built on the momentum that we had early,” Leipold said.

There’s a conversation about Leipold leading Kansas to new heights. But that comes with heightened expectations going into Year 3.

For example, Kansas has talented quarterback Jalon Daniels back for 2023. He was one of the bright spots on the team last season and if he’s fully healthy, the offense could be dangerous.

So what does the turnaround and expectations sound like around campus?

“We talk about it,” Leipold said. “I think everybody does, but our locker room and leadership from our upperclassmen and people I think have allowed us to take that step, and quite honestly it was a night and day difference ahead of what we were at our last stop as far as becoming a player-led program.

“And I know those players, and especially the four men that are here today have embraced that and they’re ready to take it another step.”

Leipold is a noted program builder. At Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, he amassed a 109-6 record and won six NCAA Division III National Championships.

After some up-and-down seasons at Buffalo, he led the Bulls to a 10-4 record in 2018 and won the Mid-American Conference East Division. They did so again in 2020 with a 6-1 record.

Perhaps the Kansas Jayhawks are next to reach a new peak.