Football's Larger Than Life Coaches - Deuce: Chapter 2: Mark Mangino

Life, Legend, Jowels

If you were to look up larger-than-life in the dictionary you would inevitably find a picture of Mark Mangino.  And after all, that's why we're here, to pay tribute to these national treasures.

srs, look it up

Mangino began life under the tutelage of one Jim Tressel at Youngstown State University. Disappointed in the local tattoo selection in Youngstown, Mangino took on an assistant coach position at Kansas State before again took leave to go to Oklahoma, eventually becoming offensive coordinator for the team that one a National Championship in 2000.

Mangino has terrified the Japanese countryside for years.

From here Mangino's life really took off. Taking over as Kansas head coach in 2001, Mangino lead the Jayhawks to their bowl game since 1995 in just his second season. He also would lead the team to their first win over Nebraska since 1969, one of the longest losing streaks in NCAA history.

Mangino never managed to defeat the two headed beast of Brown/Stoops.

2007 was perhaps Mangino's greatest year. Leading the Jayhawks to an 11-0 record before losing to Missouri, Mangino would lead the team to a win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. However, controversy would eventually cause his downfall.

Numerous complaints eventually lead to an investigation in 2009. Mangino's alleged mistreatment of players put the university in a difficult situation. They could either brush the accusations under the rug and keep their proven winner of a coach or buy out Mangino's contract for millions and eventually hire previous larger-than-life subject Charlie Weiss.

"I make you an offer you can't refuse".

Kansas eventually decided to fire Mangino and quietly sent him packing.

Mangino has yet to return to football but with his winning record it doesn't seem unfathomable hey may return to coaching someday.