Lance Leipold on Daniels leadership, scheduling and new OC
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is back healthy. More importantly, he’s looking like the player the Jayhawks have seen in the past. Head coach Lance Leipold talked about the senior leader beyond his game on the field, and what he brings as a leader.
“The thing I love about Jalon Daniels is that he’s the same person he was four years ago,” Leipold said. “He’s humble. He’s hardworking.”
Daniels has faced plenty of adversity with injuries throughout his KU career. But Leipold emphasized that he’s never made excuses or shown frustration. Instead, his energy has rubbed off on his teammates.
“He walks around with the same smile on his face,” Leipold said. “That alone is something our locker room greatly respects. His energy and positivity are very, very contagious.”
As long as Daniels stays healthy, Leipold said there aren’t many quarterbacks better in college football.
The case for more power matchups
Leipold was asked his thoughts on a comment from BYU head coach Kalani Sitake about a proposal to schedule non-conference games against each of the three other Power Four conferences.
Leipold acknowledged the idea has credibility especially as the possibility of a new playoff model is under consideration.
“It’s an interesting concept,” Leipold said. “Scheduling is becoming a big topic as we transition into this new playoff model.”
With conferences growing larger and internal scheduling becoming more unbalanced, Leipold sees some value in the idea, mainly in the strength of schedule.
“I just think it needs to be more similar, same number of conference games, and ideally all against Power conference schools,” he said. “Whatever gives us a better basis for comparison, the better off we’ll be in this new world of playoff football.”
Zebrowski ready to take over as OC
At the Big 12 Media days, one critic pointed to a rocky start in 2024, Leipold pushed back on one media member who called it a “debacle.”
Kansas finished top 10 in rushing yards per play and still produced enough offensively to help Jeff Grimes land the OC job at Wisconsin.
Now, longtime assistant Jim Zebrowski steps into the offensive coordinator role. He assumed the duties for the bowl game against UNLV when Andy Kotelnicki left for Penn State.
Leipold and Zebrowski go a long way back.
“Jim was actually my first hire as a head coach,” Leipold said. “We lost three games and won two national championships together at Wisconsin-Whitewater.”
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Zebrowski brings years of experience and has already shown his capability. He’s familiar with Leipold’s offensive system and has been a part of quarterback development and game planning.
“Jim understands our culture,” Leipold said. “He’s got a great mind.”
In addition, Matt Lubick has rejoined the program as co-coordinator, adding even more experience to a unit Leipold believes can take a step forward.
“Jim has plenty of experience and a great mind,” he said. “Matt Lubick has also rejoined us as a co-coordinator. I’m looking forward to what our offense can become moving forward.”
