Kansas football’s best option to win is running the option

Kansas needs a new coach and they should hire one with a background running the option because it’ll give them a chance for sustained success.

Kansas has not had much success since firing coach Mark Mangino in 2009 after compiling a 50-48 record in nine years that was highlighted by winning the Orange Bowl and finishing as the No. 7 team in 2007.

Following the firing of David Beaty earlier this week, Kansas is looking for another new coach who can try to come anywhere close to the success that Mangino had. The fans, students and boosters are getting tired of being at the bottom of the Big 12 year after year.

If they want to get out of the basement of the Big 12 and try to rebuild the program, they should consider running the option.

The option is still relevant in FBS football, from Georgia Tech where Paul Johnson and his 80-58 career record to Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo and his 86-55 record. It can make Kansas football relevant next.

No, this isn’t the days of the Big 8 when Tom Osborne and Barry Switzer could run options offenses and win national championships. Kansas isn’t expecting that type of result, but an option attack can level the playing field to a degree.

Earlier this season, Oklahoma faced Army, a team that shouldn’t have been able to keep up with the Sooners’ high-octane attack. Army showed that they could play with them by keeping the ball on the ground and out of the hands of Kyler Murray. Army beat the Sooners in time of possession 44:41-15:19 and nearly pulled off the inconceivable upset in the process.

The thing about the option is you have to be patient. If a team scores first there is no need to try to fight back and throw the ball a lot on your next possession. With the option, it helps both sides of the ball by giving your offense confidence by methodically moving the ball and keeping the defense on the sidelines so they aren’t gassed by the third quarter.

This could help Kansas a lot because they aren’t the most talented team in the nation stocked with four and five-star recruits. This is a way to disguise the talent level on your roster and compete with the likes of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Texas.

Kansas will have to reshape the landscape again but it could be a positive turnout this go round. The big question everyone is wondering right now is, “How will you sell the triple option to recruits?”

First, you have to identify the quarterback who can run the offense and be a leader simultaneously while understanding it might not be a quick fix. But if you sell recruits on the history of the conference and playing against Oklahoma and Texas and having exposure, that could be a big boost.

Once you find the quarterback who can run and run and run some more, you build the roster with durable running backs and a fullback. Both positions will need to be able to block as well as run the ball.

You want physical receivers who love to block and are content not playing in a spread or air-raid offense where they can make highlight-reel catches and put up gaudy stats to try and get to the NFL.

From a linemen standpoint, you’d prefer to have guys who are explosive off the ball and are road-grader types and aren’t so focused on athletic guys who can pass block 40-50 times a game.

You can bring in a coach from the Paul Johnson tree like Army’s Jeff Monken. His staff has been able to recruit at the service academy, which is one of the few places that’s harder to recruit to than Kansas. Imagine what he could do at Kansas without the same restrictions he faces at Army.

Running the offense isn’t going to be flashy, but it could result in Kansas winning more than once or twice a year and being competitive in the Big 12. Kansas has one the most supportive fanbases and it’s time to finally give them a football product they can be proud of.