Lance Leipold ahead of Kansas' season opener: "We've got a chance to be really good"

It appeared as if Kansas had finally solidified itself as a contender in the Big 12 Conference in 2023 with a 9-4 record, but it stumbled in a big way last season. The Jayhawks went just 5-7, missing a bowl game for the first time in two seasons.

Although the season wasn’t what many had hoped it would be, Kansas at least finished strong and will look to build on that late-season momentum in 2025. After opening the season with a 1-5 record, the Jayhawks won four of its last six regular season games (including wins over No. 6 BYU, No. 16 Colorado and No. 17 Iowa State).

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold revealed on Monday that he believes that the Jayhawks could be “really good” this season. In four seasons, Leipold has led KU to a 22-28 (13-23) record.

Leipold reveals that his team is willing and very coachable

“I’ve said to our team before that we’ve got a chance to be a really good football team,” Leipold said. “Again, you’ve got to get to a point where you’ve got to go out and play and get evaluated against somebody else. I think we’ve gotten better as camp’s gone along with consistency. Part of it is that you’re throwing so much at them and then you narrow stuff down for gameplan’s, but this group is willing and very coachable. We’ve eliminated distractions.”

“It’s come together in a way that we had hoped it would with the additions. Now it’s about going out and producing and doing things the way you want it to be on gamey and Saturday will be the first evaluation of this football team. I’m pleased by the efforts of our staff getting this group to this point.”

Kansas opens its 2025 season ahead of most other power-four programs, as it hosts Fresno State on Aug. 23 at 6:30 PM on FOX. Under Leipold, the Jayhawks are 4-0 in season opener’s.

“Kansas does have three bye weeks and head coach (Lance) Leipold is looking forward to having home games back in new-look Memorial Stadium,” national college football write Phil Steele said in his 2025 College Football Preview Magazine. “Kansas has lost the fewest scholarship players to the portal of any power-four team the last two years. Despite just 10 starters back from last year’s squad, I like Leipold’s portal additions and they have a great shot at getting back to a bowl.”