News Flash: Mangino era nearly over?

Mark Mangino’s tenure as Kansas coach appears to be almost over.

News of an internal investigation of the coach leaked last week. This much looks certain: Saturday’s game against Missouri likely will be his last after eight mostly successful seasons in Lawrence.

“Let me say this, I am privileged to coach these kids,” Mangino told reporters Tuesday. “They are a 5-6 football team, it is one of the most resilient bunch of kids I’ve ever been around. I can’t give you the exact reasons for that, but I think that everything they do together really makes it a united football team.”

The coach who is three wins shy of becoming the school’s all-time leader in victories reportedly has demonstrated boorish behavior, made insensitive remarks toward players and a poked one player in the chest.

More than anything, Mangino is guilty of losing six games in a row. Would this investigation be taking place if the Jayhawks were 9-2, 8-3 or 7-4?

Mangino has been an intense, no-nonsense coach since he got the KU job in 2002. This is the same coach who used the same style to lead the program to a 12-1 record, a victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl and consensus 2007 national coach of the year honors.

Some past and current players have alleged verbal abuse by Mangino, likely sealing his fate. Others have come out in support Mangino.

“College football is a tough game and everything that comes with it is tough as well,” Kansas receiver Kerry Meier told the Associated Press. “If you’re going to try to get something done, a lot of times you’re going to have to raise your voice and say some things to get people moving.”

If Mangino is fired, the battle will ensue to determine whether the coach violated terms of his contract and thus won’t have to be paid the reported $6 million left on his contract that runs through 2012.

The speculation as to who will be the next Kansas coach already is in overdrive. And there are some reports that the KU brass already has spoken to some prospective candidates. Some believe UConn coach Randy Edsall will be a top target since Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins was the man who hired Edsall when he was the A.D. at UConn. Another popular name is Buffalo’s Turner Gill, a former Nebraska great with extensive recruiting ties in Texas.

“I’m coaching,” Mangino said. “And I’m focused and I’m still standing and I’m going to keep going because I believe in what we’re doing.”

At least for one more game.

Brooks’ future?

Many wonder if Kentucky coach Rich Brooks will be back for an eighth season. But he became testy when pressed on the issue at a recent news conference.

“I am not going to answer anything about that any more,” said Brooks, who has a 39-45 record. “No charging the batteries. No coming back next year. No more of that junk. We have a huge game with Tennessee. We will address those issues at the appropriate time.

Offensive coordinator Joker Phillips has been named the head coach in waiting.

Brooks, 68, has led Kentucky to a 7-4 mark and may be in line to win SEC coach of the year honors after leading the Wildcats to their first win at Auburn since 1966 and their first win at Georgia since 1977. Brooks has led Kentucky to bowl victories in each of the past three seasons, a first in school history.

Cost of canning Weis?

If Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is fired, he will be owed between $4-18 million, depending on which report you believe, according to CNBC.

If the buyout is in the $18-million range, it will set a record. CNBC reported that the biggest buyouts reportedly paid have been:

Denny Crum, Louisville, $7 million

Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee, $6 million

Tommy Tuberville, Auburn, $5.1 million

Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M, $4.4 million

Tommy Bowden, Clemson, $3.5 million

Bill Callahan, Nebraska, $3.1 million

Weis has a 35-26 mark in five seasons. The Irish finish the 2009 season at Stanford. He will not remain in California to recruit, which many feel is a strong indication that his tenure is finished.