Kansas’ Mangino takes home the Bear Bryant award

By Marc Hudgens  |   Friday, January 18, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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Kansas head coach Mark Mangino won the 22nd annual Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coach of the Year Award in Houston, Texas, on Thursday.

"I'm the head coach but it takes a lot to have a successful program. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm smart enough to know you've got to get good people around you to win," said Mangino.

The sixth-year Jayhawk coach led his team to a 12-1 (7-1 Big 12) mark this past season, including an Orange Bowl win over ACC champion Virginia Tech earlier this month.

Mangino beat out finalists Frank Beamer of ACC champ Virginia Tech; Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom; June Jones (formerly of WAC champ Hawaii); Gary Pinkel of Big XII North champ Missouri; Illinois' Ron Zook; and LSU's Les Miles, whose team won the SEC and national title.

Commentary: With the most wins in school history and a No. 2 ranking in November, it's safe to say Mangino has become a legend in Lawrence. If he can replicate last year's success next season, he should be considered an elite football coach.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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