Characteristics Coach Lance Leipold Should Establish

Lance Leipold has a huge task ahead of him as he attempts to rebuild Kansas’ football schedule.

The 2021 college football season is fast approaching and the Kansas Jayhawks football team has implemented a new regime. Lance Leipold takes the helm as head coach after a successful tenure at Buffalo. Lance will be followed by five coaches who worked with him in Buffalo.

The other five coaches were already on the KU coaching staff. According to the new head coach, “every coach is ready to get involved and prepare this team to compete at the highest level. “

The 12 Big Media Days (July 14-15) were filled with optimism, hope and, of course, excitement. Kansas was scheduled to take the stage on July 15, but due to the inclement weather, they virtually participated in the event. When coach Leipold spoke to the media, he spoke about how difficult rebuilding the Kansas football team is going to be.

“I think there is no quick fix to creating or rebuilding a program. Our approach will be consistent in what we’re going to do, consistent in our recruiting methods, starting locally and then expanding again across the country within the Big 12 footprint. ”

He also said:

“I think if it’s successful or when the programs weren’t successful, you can’t spend time looking in the rearview mirror. Look through the windshield, keep it one day at a time, don’t stray too far from yourself or too far. Be where your feet are and keep working every day to be a little better than before. We took it when things were going well for us and in more difficult times. “

That being said, I want to discuss two characteristics that I want to see this Kansas football team begin to develop in their first year under coach Leipold.

Kansas Football: Lance Leipold Has Opportunity To Shape, Set Jayhawks’ Agenda

Kansas Football Culture

For the past 11 years, the Kansas football fan base and alumni have seen this team go through the head coaches, staff and players. Time and time again unsuccessful year after unsuccessful year. You might hear loyal fans relive the glory days and talk about the Orange Bowl season led by Mark Mangino. These were exciting times for KU fans and the competitive level was seen in this program.

As of the 2007-08 season, according to sports-reference.com, the Kansas Jayhawks football team have won 34 games and lost 120. That being said, it’s an opportunity for new head coach Lance Leipold and his team to create a winning culture. . A culture in which footballers want to play KU football.

According to an article written on Psychology Today by Jim Taylor Ph.D., he states:

“A culture is the expression of the values, attitudes and goals of a team regarding sport, competition and relationships. It determines whether, for example, the team’s focus is on fun, improvement, or victory or whether it promotes individual achievement or team success. A team culture is so important because it directly influences many areas that affect the functioning and performance of the team: the culture sets standards of acceptable behavior in a team, by explicitly or implicitly conveying to members what is allowed. and what is not. These standards can dictate how team members behave, communicate, cooperate, and deal with conflict. When clear standards are set, everyone on a team is more likely to meet them. Culture creates the atmosphere that permeates every aspect of a team’s experience. Is the atmosphere relaxed or intense? Solidarity or competitive? All of these qualities of a culture have real implications for how the team works, how its members get along and, most importantly, the performance of team athletes and the results they produce individually and collectively. When a team has a defined culture that is understood and accepted by all of its members, they feel an implicit pressure (in a good way) to support that culture.

This culture change begins with recruiting and recruiting local talent. According to 247sports.com, Kansas State University currently has eight state football players signed up for the 2021 season. The University of Kansas, on the other hand, has a commitment within the state. It is a reflection on culture.

Kansas football program needs an identity

One of coach Leipold’s most powerful quotes came during the Big 12 media days

“I think that the stability and consistency within our staff that we were able to have during these two previous stops had a very important impact on our young men, that they have the same voice in the same patterns to make the same things. Our players, give them the best chance to succeed and continue to build and improve daily when they have the same consistent message. I think if it’s successful or when the programs weren’t successful you can’t spend time looking in the rearview mirror. Look through the windshield, keep it one day at a time, don’t stray too far from yourself or too far. Be where your feet are and keep working every day to be a little better than before. We took it when things were going well for us and in more difficult times. “

This ties in with the next characteristic that I would like to see develop in the first year under this new coaching staff and that is identity. With culture comes identity. This first year is not only the beginning of a new culture, but from there is born an identity. The identity of the players who will take the field each week. The leadership of this current team will instill an identity in the incoming players.

An identity is just as important as a culture. Identity represents not only the X’s and O’s, but also the makeup of the team.

Are they a never give up type team?

Are they a physical force?

At the end of the day, I think Coach Leipold and his team have to start developing a culture and identity in the first year for Kansas football to move towards victory.